The City of Rye carried on its Memorial Day tradition of honoring military personnel who died while serving their country. While the poor weather cancelled the parade, a large crowd gathered inside at the Locust Avenue Fire House for the annual ceremony run by American Legion Post 128.
Speakers from the American Legion, local elected officials, and others spoke about the service of thousands from Rye who over the years have served in different armed conflicts and about the 81 souls who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms.
New York State Assemblyman Steve Otis read the names of 13 service personnel who just in the last number of weeks lost their lives in the Middle East. Others spoke about the shared obligation to remind one another and future generations of the history of all those lost and the importance of understanding that freedom is not free.
The principal speaker was Joshua Gaccione, director, Westchester County Veterans Service Agency, and the Rye American Legion Americanism Award was presented to Rye resident Laura Pellegrini for her community service. American Legion Post 128 Legionnaire Terry McCartney read the roll of honor of the 81 from Rye, stating their name, age, the street they lived on in Rye.
Watch the full ceremony:
