A Message from Mayor Susan C. Renda

Dear Resident,

Below is the speech read by Peter Bernardo, former Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, at our Veteran's Day Service on Sunday, November 11th:

Good afternoon Veterans, honored guests, ladies, and gentlemen.  It is a privilege for me to be with you to observe this Veteran's Day.  As you may know, the Armistice that ended WWI officially took effect in the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918.  Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I, the war to end all wars.  Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance of Armistice Day, and November 11 became a National holiday beginning in 1938.  In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed "Veterans Day" to honor American Veterans of all wars.  This year, 2018, marks the Centennial Commemoration of the end of World War I on November 11, 1918.  The theme for the 2018 Veterans Day Poster is: "The War to End All Wars" and features a poppy and barbed wire.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day is often confused with Veterans Day in the United States.  Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who dies in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or because of wounds sustained in battle.  While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.  In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

The United States has fought two major world wars, one civil war, and 79 other conflicts throughout the world in defense of our freedom, our security, or the freedom and security of others.  The price of this freedom has not been cheap.  Over 1,297,075 Americans have sacrificed their lives in the defense of this country.  I include in this figure, not only the 847,024 who died as a result of combat or wounds resulting from combat but also the 450,074 who died while serving their country but not from combat related causes.  These men and women died of Malaria, Dysentery, gangrene, Prisoners of War, training accidents, and a host of other reasons related to those wars.  Their contributions and sacrifices should also be remembered on this day. 

For the Veterans who stand here today, we know that no matter what medals we received or accomplishments we have attained, they pale in the light of the sacrifice made by these 1.2 million.  We are bound to honor their memory for they were our brothers n arms and gave far more than those of use who stand here today.  However, Veterans Day is a day to remember the living veterans and their sacrifices, their courage and their patriotic service.  The military men and women who served and are serving to protect the U.S., come from all races, creeds, ethnic backgrounds, financial means and occupations; they are parents, children, grandparents, friends, neighbors and coworkers, and are now an important part of their communities. 

Here are some facts about the veteran population of the United States: There are 16.1 million living veterans who have served during at least one war.  An additional 6 million veterans served in peacetime.  Two million veterans are women.  Of those who served during World War II, about 558,000 veterans are still alive.  Two million veterans served during the Korean War, 7 million veterans served during the Vietnam War, and 5.5 million veterans served during the Persian Gulf War.                                                                                               Click Here to Read More....