BUZZ
Thanks of a grateful city on Veterans Day
BY DEAN MOSES
“Thank you for your service,” is a
simple phrase that weighs heavily
on millions of Veterans who
still bear the scars of war, some mentally,
others physically and on Nov. 11 a city said
thank you.
Veterans Day is all about gratitude and
on Thursday afternoon the city showed its
appreciation to the men and women of the
armed forces with a grand parade featuring
marching bands, motorcycle convoys, and
more.
Hundreds gathered to usher in the grand
affair with the majestic fl uttering of American
fl ags and hardy waves as an army of
patriots strolled up Broadway.
However, prior to the parade kicking off,
a wreath ceremony was hosted at Madison
Square Park where elected offi cials such as
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Attorney General Letitia
James, Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer, Manhattan Borough President
Gale Brewer, Honorary Grand Marshal Air
Force Chief of Staff Charles Q. Brown, Jr.,
decorated war veterans, gold star family
members, and other attendees honored the
occasion with a moment of silence during
The colors red, white, and blue dripped on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day Parade.
the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th
month.
“This year, we will be commemorating
the 20th anniversary of the global war on
terror and the 30th anniversary of Desert
Storm. We’ll be honoring veterans of all
generations. I’m sure that we are all happy
to once again be coming together for a traditional
parade,” said Mark Otto, a marine
veteran and President/Executive Director
at the United War Veterans Council.
After offi cials and representatives paid
their respects, a rifl e salute was conducted,
followed by a trumpet performance of taps.
Veterans began to fi le out of the ceremony,
but not before taking one last look at the
wreath in somber remembrance, not just for
those who’ve fought but the future veterans.
“We have to unite together to make
better veterans and educate the veteran
community. The VA is a bureaucracy and
bureaucracies deal with their own format.
We can’t go to the VA and ask; we have to
go to the VA and know what we are talking
about. We have to educate ourselves,” said
Mike Sulsona, Sergeant with the Marine
Corps League, who served in Vietnam.
Commencing at 29th street, hundreds
of individuals fl ocked to observe a sea of
fl oats, marchers, and honorary participants,
including Vietnam, Korea, and World War
II veterans waving to the crowd.
Marching to 45th Street, veterans dating
back to World War II walk in honor of their
fellow servicemen and women. Despite some
being over 100 years old, they remained
steadfast.
Arnold Strauch, an army World War II
veteran, recalls his service almost 76 years
ago.
“I was in an Infantry Division, serving
as a motor planner and we were in combat
in Europe, in Germany, and we also served
in the Pacifi c in the Philippines,” Staunch
said proudly, adding that Veterans Day is
an important occasion for him. “It’s about
memories, old memories.”
Going to bat for Holocaust education
Elisha Wiesel, The Elie Wiesel
Foundation for Humanity, recipient of
the 2021 Remembrance Award.
BY HANK LEVY
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, dignitaries,
elected offi cials, prominent business
people, and supporters attended
the Voices for Truth and Humanity
2nd Annual Remembrance Awards Dinner
honoring Marion and Elisha Wiesel, wife
and son of Holocaust survivor and Nobel
laureate Elie Wiesel.
Taking part in a panel discussion on the
state of Holocaust education moderated by
famed news anchor Rita Cosby were Public
Service Award recipients Congresswoman
Carolyn Maloney, NY State Assemblyman
Steve Stern, and education pioneer Dr.
Lorna Lewis.
The evening’s presentations reinforced
the organization’s mission to fi ght hate
through education by working for the
The Honorable Salih Hudayar, Prime
Minster, East Turkistan Governmentin
Exile was keynote speaker.
adoption of a curriculum on the Holocaust,
slavery, and all genocides in public schools.
Honored guest Prime Minister Salih
Hudayar of the East Turkistan Government
in Exile spoke passionately about the atrocities
being committed against the Uyghur
people at the hands of the Chinese government,
and the outpouring of support they
have received from the Jewish community.
PHOTOS BY ALEX M WOLFF
Assemblyman Steve Stern and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney recipients
of the Voices for Truth and Humanity’s Public Service Award with renowned
journalist, Rita Cosby and education pioneer, Dr. Lorna Lewis.
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