Photo gallery: North Fork observes Veterans Day with ceremony and special brunch
Between Southold, Greenport and Riverhead, American Legion’s across the North Fork have hundreds of veterans.
Residents, veterans, local officials, Cub Scouts and the town’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) gathered at Southold’s Griswold-Terry-Glover American Legion Post 803 for a ceremony and a brunch to honor those who served for this country.
“The community as a whole, including Southold, Cutchogue, Mattituck, Greenport and Orient, has an opportunity to bring people together who might not otherwise talk about their military service,” said Commander David DeFriest. “These veterans like to talk about their experiences, but sometimes you have to get them out of their comfort zone and bring them together to recognize them and show them appreciation.”
Mr. DeFriest said the main purpose of holding this event was to remember their service, because it’s sometimes forgotten. This ceremony has been held for the past 10 to 15 years, he added. The difference this year was the incorporation of the younger generation.
“It’s an opportunity to recognize not only our veterans but also the future of our nation,” Mr. DeFriest said. “The future is everything to all of us. It’s important to make sure younger generations understand the sacrifices veterans have made so they can appreciate what it means to make sacrifices for the country themselves.”
There are 170 members in Southold’s American Legion, about 40 in Greenport’s and a bunch more in Riverhead, according to Mr. DeFriest.
“Across the North Fork, we’re a pretty large community,” he said. “They’re all intertwined one way or another.”
Veteran’s Day official pinpoint time is on the 11th hours of the 11th day of the 11th month, even though veterans are honored the entire day.
“It’s very integrated,” said town supervisor Al Krupski. “With NJROTC, seeing them here and seeing the next generation coming up makes you feel good about our country.”
Photos by Nick Mongiovi
