MILLERTON — Members of the Millerton-North East community gathered to give thanks to those who fought for their country at the annual Veterans Day ceremony hosted by the Millerton American Legion Post 178 on Thursday, Nov. 11.
Beginning at 11 a.m., the community gathered solemnly on the grass and courtyard at Veterans Park at the corner of Main Street and Dutchess Avenue to pay their respects to their country’s and community’s veterans. As American Legion Post 178 Historian Sean Klay thanked everyone for coming out to honor those who have served and earned the title of “veteran,” Post Chaplain Julien Strauss opened the ceremony with an invocation, and residents remained standing for the National Anthem.
Tracing the roots of Veterans Day back to World War I, Klay shed a light on the many wars veterans have fought in and the ways in which this nation recognizes its veterans has evolved, as well as a few veteran statistics.
A display was set up on the grass outlining the United States’ commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, and after reading aloud a proclamation commemorating the war’s 50th anniversary, Klay asked all attending Vietnam War veterans and their spouses to rise and come forward.
A line of Vietnam-era veterans from North East and Millerton soon formed in front of the display. One by one, the veterans each stepped forward to receive a designation from American Legion Post 178 Treasurer Bob Jenks, recognizing their service as they shook hands with Post members and Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek.
After leading the community in a moment of silence, Klay announced there was a discussion at the Legion’s meeting last month concerning the number of inquiries the Legion has received about having the Hometown Heroes in town.
Having discussed it with the Legion and engaged with the town and the village, Klay said the Legion will be working on getting the process started to host the popular program that would hang banners of local veterans throughout in the North East-Millerton community.
The intent, he said, is to potentially have some of the Hometown Heroes banners up by Memorial Day 2022, though he made no promises as to the timeline.
The boom of the traditional three-gun salute then sounded, followed by the mournful melody of taps and Strauss’s benediction to close the ceremony.
Standing upright in a line of fellow Vietnam-era heroes, the community’s local veterans were commended for their service to their country at Millerton’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday morning, Nov. 11. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle
After accepting a designation in recognition of his service to his country, local veteran and North East Councilman George Kaye received a hug from Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek at the village’s celebration of Veterans Day. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle
Meg Sher, executive director of the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village.L. Tomaino 
