Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
The “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” photo was honored during the parade.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Queens and the City marked this centennial Veterans Day in grand Gotham fashion at events that honored all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Borough President Melinda Katz hosted her annual Veterans Day Observance Ceremony on Thursday at Borough Hall. Three distinguished vets who call Queens home received Citations of Honor during the event: Sgt. First Class Loretta Weiss, U.S. Army (World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War); Sgt. James Sessoms, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps (Vietnam War); and Staff Sgt. Raymond Ramos, N.Y. Army National Guard (Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom).
“Queens is endlessly grateful to the tens of thousands of women and men of this borough who have displayed unimaginable courage, selflessness, and sacrifice in donning our nation’s uniform. The debt we owe our heroes and their families can never be properly repaid,” Katz said.
More than 58,000 borough residents have served in the Armed Forces.
In Manhattan on Monday, the NYC Veterans Day Parade celebrated the 100th observance of Armistice Day/Veterans Day with pageantry along Fifth Avenue. The non-partisan, non-political event, which boasted remarks from borough native President Donald Trump, honored veterans, raised awareness of those who serve, and saluted members on active duty.
