Heroes
Residents, friends and family gather to pay tribute to our Veterans
STORY AND PHOTOS
BY STEPHEN VRATTOS
Cultural Events Committee
Chair, Board Member and
erstwhile Master of Ceremonies
Fred Chernow hosted a
Veterans Day memorial in Towers
on the Green Friday evening, November
9. Chernow, who served in
an armored tank division during the
Korean War, designed a superlative
presentation, which respectfully acknowledged
Veterans from World
War II, the Korean and Vietnam
Wars, both those on the front lines
and behind, as well as civilians
whose generous efforts serve the
country’s Veterans and their families,
making them heroes in their
own right. He began reminding all
that this year’s Veterans Day marks
the 100th anniversary the guns fell
silent on World War I. Christened
“Armistice Day,” November 11 was
renamed “Veterans Day” in 1945
to celebrate those who served the
country in all conflicts, after the
“War to End All Wars” sadly proved
not to be the case. “Just remember,”
Chernow concluded in his opening
remarks, “this is the land of the free
because of the brave.”
Fellow Board Member Felice
Hannah then joined Chernow at
the podium to lead the assemblage
in the recitation of the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Adroitly incorporating delicate
moments of levity to offset what
could easily descend this annual
day of celebration and honor into
Master of Ceremonies Fred Chernow drapes Shawl of Reverence over
opening speaker WWII Vet Joe Revman
Flying Tiger Vet Dan Broad
Delta Force Airborne Ranger Ed Phelan with Linda Gibbs Russell Targrove led the audience in song
12 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ December 2018