New Rochelle Community Honors Veterans

In spite of brisk chilly winds, members of the New Rochelle community turned out Monday to honor service men and women, past and present, on Veterans Day.

Uniformed members of the armed forces and New Rochelle police and fire departments all partook in the ceremony at Memorial Plaza often saluting and raising their arms. Peter M. Parente, the New Rochelle Coordinator for the United States Veteran and Patriotic Association, opened the address paying homage to all those who have served.

“Veteran’s Day should be every day, so that we always remember and honor those that have given their lives for this country,” Parente said.

New Rochelle City Council members were in attendance, including Mayor Noam Bramson, who thanked all people of the community who have helped protect the country and continue to do so.

The service of the veterans in attendance ranged from the Vietnam and Korean wars, to the War on Terror and even World War II veteran William F. Moye, who at 98 years old still serves as the Chaplain for the U.V.M. and P.A. and said the final prayer of the ceremony.

Ronald C. Tocci, a former Veterans Administrator and State of New York Commander, expressed his condolences for family members and friends who lost loved ones who served. He also spoke abou those soldiers who suffered from the casualties of war, not just physically, but mentally such as those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We truly don’t understand the ravages of war,” Tocci said. “Those who have served, they do. We owe it to them to take care of them because they took care of us.”

Tocci said over 22 veterans commit suicide a day, many suffering PTSD, and he reiterated that people must actually do something, and not just have one day to remember them.

“The monuments and statues are here so that we don’t forget what they have done for us,” Tocci said. “We need to listen and take them seriously.”

In honor of all those who have died for the country, members of the American Legion Post 8 Firing Detail gave the Salute to the Dead, and William Unwetter, a member of the New Rochelle High School Symphonic Band, played the Taps.

“That’s why we’re here, because they protect us,” said Dianne McLeer, the daughter-in-law of Comrade Eugene A. McLeer, who was a member of the U.V.M. and P.A. and a former New Rochelle detective who passed away this May. 

“If someone doesn’t like what we do or say, they’re here for us,” she said.