Under wintry skies, with snow flurries swirling in cold, blustery winds, Riverhead residents gathered at the War Memorial monument on West Main Street Tuesday morning for the town’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.
On the lawn outside the Suffolk County Historical Society Museum, where West Main and Court streets, intersect, is a massive granite block that bears a bronze tablet engraved with the names of the 304 Riverhead men who served in World War I. It is topped with a gas-powered torch whose flame burns day and night, year-round.
Originally erected in 1920 at the corner of Griffing Avenue and West Main Street, where the Historical Society was then located, the monument was unveiled on Memorial Day that year with great fanfare. Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of the late president, attended the dedication, which drew an “immense crowd,” according to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
The monument was moved to its present site in 1926, on land donated to the Historical Society by Alice Perkins, where the museum was later built and still stands today.
It remains the focal point of Riverhead’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, hosted by the Riverhead Combined Veterans Committee. At both ceremonies, floral wreaths are placed beneath the plaque honoring the men who answered the nation’s call to fight in “the war to end all wars.”
“If World War I had been the war to end all wars, Nov. 11 might still be called Armistice Day,” said Riverhead VFW Post 2476 Commander Thomas Nadjzion, who served as master of ceremonies. The holiday originally marked the 1918 armistice that ended the fighting.
“Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of World War II and Korea, Congress decided to make it an occasion to honor all who served America,” Nadjzion said. “In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day.”
The strong wind repeatedly toppled the three wreaths standing on the lawn, awaiting placement at the monument, made it difficult to hold flagpoles and papers, and played tricks on the VFW’s loudspeaker and wireless microphone. But Nadjzion soldiered on undaunted. He acknowledged during brief remarks that the ceremony was “abbreviated” due to the cold, blustery weather and the balky sound system that made it hard for those present to hear what was being said.
Riverhead Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard was the guest speaker.
“Every American has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. None of this would be possible without the sacrifice, dedication and service of our nation’s veterans,” Hubbard said. “They have truly made our nation and the entire world a better, safer, freer and more just place.”
“Here in Riverhead, we are proud to be home to many veterans who continue to enrich our community every day,” he said. “Whether serving overseas or here at home, veterans embody the spirit of selflessness, resilience and love of country. On behalf of our board and the people of Riverhead, I want to express our deep gratitude to every veteran and to the families who have supported them. Your service and sacrifice protect the freedom we hold dear, and your example inspires us to live with the same honor and commitment,” Hubbard said. “May God bless our veterans, their families, the Town of Riverhead and the United States of America.”
Council Members Bob Kern, Joann Waski and Denise Merrifield attended the ceremony, along with Riverhead Police Chief Edward Frost, Capt. Danielle Willsey and several uniformed officers.
Riverhead American Legion Post 273 Commander Robert Robesch and members of Post 273, Riverhead VFW Post 2476, the VFW Auxiliary, and a Riverhead High School NJROTC Color Guard lined the perimeter of the lawn holding U.S. and organizational flags.
The Rev. Sean Murray, pastor of First Congregational Church of Riverhead, offered a prayer of thanks and blessing.
Everyone in attendance was invited to the American Legion post for refreshments following the ceremony.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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