On Tuesday 11- Nov. the Bogota VFW Ralph Hall post #5561 held it's annual Veteran's Day Ceremonies. This is a chance to honour and thank the Women & Men who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. Post Commander Alexander Hernandez welcome those in attendances, then introduced the post Chaplain, Earl Coppock, for the invocation. After his pray there was a moment of silence for those Veterans who are now absent. This was followed by the playing of Taps by Louis Santos of Ridgefield Park. Cmdr Hernandez then gave his message. He thanked those whose choice was to attend, and acknowledge those who use the rights in choosing not to attend. He saluted those Veterans in the Audience and thanked them for their service, and then made a point of letting any Veteran from Vietnam that he and the VFW is proud of them for their years of service in fighting overseas for the Country. He let it be known that if they ever any Vietnam Veteran feels that they have been forgotten, or mistreated, they have a welcoming home in the VFW, and at Bogota post 5561. He talked about how some Vietnam Vets may feel lost not being a Veteran of World War II, or Korea, and that they may be overlooked in favor of the Women & Men returning from the Middle East conflict. But in the eyes of his post they all worthy of a thankful welcome home for their duty to the Country. He went on to say that it is never too late to honoured and extended an open invitation to the Vietnam Veterans, and it is not too early for the Veterans from the Middle East to be a part of the Family of Veterans to help them continue their lives outside the Military.
Bogota Mayor Tito Jackson then spoke to again thank the Veterans for giving up part of their lives in order to help defend the the lives, and freedoms of their fellow Americans.
The next part of the Ceremony was to award the 2014 Bogota Citizen of the Year, and the Young Volunteer of the year. Mayor Jackson talked about how the Citizen of the Year has Volunteer as member of both the Bogota First Aid Squad, and the Bogota Rescue Squad. He works as an EMT with Holy Name Hospital, and with the U.S. Secret Service when the President of the United States visits the New York area as well as working with the Bogota Police and Emergency Services Youth Academy in the Summer. Then both Mayor Jackson & Cmdr Hernandez presented the Bogota Citizen of the Year to Sean Reilly.
For the Young Volunteer Mayor Jackson also spoke about his work as a Volunteer with the Bogota rescue & First Aid Squads, and how it is hoped that he will continue to do so after Graduation. Again Mayor Jackson & Cmdr Hernandez presented the Young Volunteer of the Year to Martin Almonte.
One extra moment was when Jerry Giamo present a check of $250 to the Bogota VFW Post # 5561 ,so they can continue their work, from his Employer FSR A.V. Switching.
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