Veterans Day ceremonies at the World War I memorial in Riverhead drew a sizable crowd this morning, despite the chilly, damp weather.
The ceremonies, hosted each year by the Combined Veterans Committee, included prayers, a wreath-laying ceremony, an impassioned speech by a town councilman, a four-gun salute and “Taps.”
Councilman John Dunleavy, a U.S. Navy veteran, told the crowd that all citizens are responsible for building the best community and country that veterans worked to protect.
“This is the greatest way to thank them for and honor their service,” Dunleavy said. “The freedoms to create, build, inspire and congregate together are what our veterans worked to allow us to have.
“To sit by and expect government to take care of you, to demand that your TV entertain you, to assume fast food will feed you or teachers will raise your children, I believe is not American,” Dunleavy said.
“Being American is about working to create you future….It’s about participation. Find your role and your niche and be a part of keeping Riverhead and America great.”
VFW Chaplain Chris Saccocia gave the opening invocation. Judy Hettrick sang the National Anthem. “Taps” was played by Lauren Schmitt, of Riverhead, and Danny Jones, of Wading River, both trumpeters with the Riverhead High School marching band, on trumpet, under the direction of Jason Rottkamp. The closing prayer was offered by American Legion Chaplain Marty Steiger.
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