By Mary O’KEEFE
Today at a ceremony in honor of Veteran’s Day, members of the American Legion and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars created a Walk of Honor for veterans that have served in the military since 911.
The ceremony began at Two Strike Park today at 3 p.m. after an all day vigil by veterans.
The speeches from the podium reflected the day’s honor to all veterans with mention of those young men and women who are, and have, served recently. Speakers, veterans Mike Baldwin and Ken Jury, reminded the audience that the American Legion and VFW members are still serving by helping those who have served.
Congressman Adam Schiff was in attendance. He spoke about his father, an Army veteran, and of servicemen he had met in Afghanistan, Iraq and in the United States. He spoke of their maturity, honor and dedicated service to their country.
Assemblymember Mike Gatto was also at the ceremony. He spoke of his family’s long history of military service as well. He also pledged to match any donation up to $1,000 that was made to the Two Strike Park Memorial at the ceremony. VFW Commander Warren Spayth immediately raised his hand to donate $500, and Congressman Adam Schiff had made a donation of $500 earlier to a group of veterans at the ceremony.But even after the $1000 was met the donations continued. Several of those in the audience took out their checkbooks for the Two Strike Park Memorial.
Not only were veterans honored at the park but the memorial is more than $2,000 closer to its goal.
Two Strike Park Memorial, at present, is small and is in disrepair. Veterans and community members began working together to raise funds to remodel and repair the existing memorial. The Two Strike Park Memorial committee’s goal is to build the memorial so the names of military personnel who have lost their lives while in service to their country can be added. They need $75,000, they have raise about $47,000. Anyone who would like to donate can do so at www.twostrikememorial.org