City Proudly Salutes its Veterans

PHOTO: Queens Borough President Melinda Katz’s Veterans Day Observance Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Garden at Borough Hall last Friday commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and honored three WW II veterans for their service to the nation and their sacrifices for American freedoms. The honored veterans were Edgar S. Jones (Lieutenant, United States Army, 1941-1943; fifth from l.), Milton L. Weber (Corporal, United States Army, 1943-1946; fifth from r.) and Zygmunt Wartski (Corporal, United States Army, 1943-1946; fourth from r., accompanied by his wife). Elected and appointed officials, including state Sen. Leroy Comrie (l.), Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Loree Sutton (second from l.), City Councilman Eric Ulrich (third from l.), Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (second from r.) and state Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (far r.) also praised and thanked the vets for their service. Photos Courtesy of BP Katz’s office; Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Unit; and the 104th Precinct

The five boroughs honored the commitment, service, and sacrifice of veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces at several events across the city in the days leading up to Veterans Day 2015.

City Hall kicked off Veterans Week last Wednesday with a celebration of city, national, and military colors.

In Queens, Borough President Melinda Katz last Friday hosted the annual Veterans Day Observance Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Garden at Borough Hall. The service commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and honored three distinguished WW II veterans.

“More veterans call Queens home than any other borough in the city of New York,” Katz noted. “We salute all veterans’ tremendous service to our nation and their sacrifices for our freedoms.”

Last Sunday, the World’s Borough celebrated with service members and their families at the Queens Veterans Day Parade in Middle Village. Revelers saluted vets, including Grand Marshal Brigadier Gen. Stephen Bucaria, commander the New York Guard and a state Supreme Court justice, along Metropolitan Avenue from 80^th Street to 69^th Street.

This year’s parade was dedicated to the memory of U.S. Army Pfc. Le Ron Wilson, a Springfield Gardens native who was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq on July 6, 2007.

By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com

Marchers and revelers honored military service members then and now at the Queens Veterans Day Parade last Sunday along Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village.