Remembrance

26- May-2014
  On this Memorial Day morning the  Bogota American Legion  Clifford Dunn Post 117, and the  Bogota  VFW Ralph Hall Post 5561 held their Memorial Day  Remembrance service in front of Bogota Borough Hall.  Along with Mayor Tito Jackson and some members of the Borough Council there were Women & Men from the 2nd Marine Air Wing who are in the New York Area for the Fleet Week festivities in New York. The units that were represented are from the VMM-266, HMH, 464, & HMLA-269 who joined in the  morning ceremonies. The Marines were saluted by by VFW Commander Alex Hernandez in his speech about remember the Veterans of  the United States Armed Forces. Cmdr Hernandez also took  the time to thank the Veterans that attended the service for their Service to the Country.  In his speech Cmdr Hernandez also mentioned the debt of  services that many of the Armed Forces gave to the county. What he said was: Each soldier, sailor, marine, and airman before leaving to go to combat wrote a check out to each one of us.  On it, the amount said “in the amount of and up to and beyond my life”.   It was the most costly check they ever wrote.   This is how they paved the way and paid for our freedom.   Please keep them in your prayers, especially on Memorial Day, and remember what our freedom cost, not in money, but in sacrifice.

 American Legion Commander Walter Croft also thanked the Marines for attending, and for the members of the public who came for the communities.  Mayor Tito Jackson welcomed the Marines to Bogota and said how his is proud  that the Borough could  play host to them.
 Then the names of the Bogota Citizens who did not have the opportunity to return home were read allowed as one poppy for each was placed on a cross in front of the Bogota War Monument.  This was done by Mary Wagner & Terry McElory who were assisted by "Poppy Girls" Emma Fowler & Leah Perez.  Next Rebecca Pigoncelli was escorted by Lance Corporals Jonathan Muniz and Brando Parks as she placed a wreath at the POW-MIA Monument. Then after a moment of silence Taps were played by students of the Bogota High School Marching Band.
   Cmdr Croft ended the Service by thanking all who had taken the time to attend.

Reverend  Tim Graff  of St. Joseph Church   with the Innovation

VFW Cmdr Alex Hernandez  leading the Pledge of Allegiance

American Legion Cmdr Walter Croft 

Bogota Mayor Tito Jackson

 The Marines in attendance.

Poppies being place to remember fallen 

Mike Sorrentino lead the procession.

 Lcpl's Muniz & Parks escort Rebecca Pigoncelli

A moment of Silence.

 Pastor Jodi Wu from Bogart Reform Church.

Borough Hall

 The wreath at the POW-MIA monument.