Letters From The Front Lines

On a crisp, bright autumn afternoon, residents of Yorktown and its surrounding townships gathered for the tenth annual Veterans Day Parade down East Main Street in Shrub Oak, commemorating the lives and the sacrifices of American veterans, past and present.

The parade, which included members of local fire and police departments, the American Legion, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, the Knights of Columbus, and bagpipers clubs, among others, began at Lakeland High School at 2 p.m., Sunday, and ended with a ceremony at the Shrub Oak Library.

As the parade lines assembled and the myriad families attempted to corral the countless Scouts into their respective positions, the sounds of bagpipers and the conversations among veterans could be heard throughout the hustle and bustle. 

"Veterans Day, to me, is a way to celebrate all of the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom and all of our rights," said Robert Merson, 15, of Boy Scouts Troop 164 Yorktown. Merson, bugle in hand, would later play "Taps" at the ceremony. "All the men and women who are serving or have served are great role models for [kids my age]."

At the other end of the age spectrum, veterans of all recent American wars were on hand to evoke the pride and patriotism inherent to service men and women. Anthony DeLena, a 63 year-old Vietnam War Naval veteran from Wappingers Falls, NY, was there to celebrate the holiday along with his grandson.

"I served in 1967 in Vietnam at the Gulf of Tonkin," said DeLena. "[Veterans Day] means a lot to me. I've seen a lot of people get killed in Vietnam on my ship…In one day we lost 138 men, good men too. It means a lot that people appreciate us, especially because when I got back from Vietnam it wasn't like today where everyone appreciates the vets. They didn't like the vets back then, and they kind of put you down. Now it's great to see that the country has come forward to support our veterans. They're the ones who keep this country free."

Bill Lewis, the 73 year-old Putnam Valley resident and honorary chairman of the parade, was all smiles and salutes throughout the day. The Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, dressed in bright red service garbs and locked in step with the front lines of the parade, thanked those who had gathered for the festivities.

"We finally got a group of non-veterans to take over running this parade and they're always looking for more people on their committee, so now we don't have to run our own birthday party," Lewis said. "As a veteran, I'm really more appreciative of those other veterans who've made the supreme sacrifice so we can do what we're doing out here today, enjoying this freedom. It's a pleasure to have served in the Marine Corps., to do what I had to do for this privilege."

While the parade marched down East Main Street, onlookers flashed their thanks on bright posters and banners. Some families waved the iconic, small American flags. Others snapped photos of the Marines Corps vets, the 1950's era fire truck, and the World Word II era Willys Jeep equipped with automatic machine guns and grenades. Overall, the hope among veterans attending was the pride and honor that accompanies Veterans Day could be passed down through the generations.

"Being a veteran myself, as well as most of the leaders in my troop are veterans in the armed forces, we feel it is important that part of this is for kids to learn about those who have sacrificed before and who are in harm's way now allowing us to do what we're doing here today," said Frank Aguayo, the 52 year-old Troop 165 Yorktown leader and a Marine Corps veteran. "This is just a small portion of our tribute to the men and women who are protecting us here and overseas."

Indeed, behind the excitement and the entertainment of kids dancing to the bagpipes, the mood was respectfully somber. At no point was the memory of America's fallen troops forgotten.

"[Veterans Day] is a reminder that most gave some, and some gave all," said Larry Cassidy, 57, a former Naval Militia member and a bagpiper with the Yorktown Irish Pipes and Drums. "Without them, we wouldn't have the daily free speech that we're enjoying right here."

The sounds of "God Bless America" could be heard from the front lines of the march. Somewhere within the drumbeat of the parade, the heartbeat of America trooped proudly forward.