PHOTOS: Veterans Day, 'Circle of Honor' recognized in Lewiston

Academy Park’s “Circle of Honor” section was filled with onlookers Monday, as the Lewiston community came together to honor this nation’s armed forces on Veterans Day.

Veterans Day ceremony master of ceremonies the Hon. Michael Roemer.

Assemblyman Angelo Morinello addresses the crowd.

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Newly reelected New York State Assemblyman Angelo Morinello served as the keynote speaker. He served a combat tour in Vietnam and now is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Down River Post 7487 in Lewiston.

Morinello said, “I'm honored here to be with you today, as we pay tribute to our nation's distinguished veterans. As a Vietnam veteran and a member of the VFW, the American Legion and the Niagara County Vietnam Veterans Association, I am humbled to share some thoughts on this, Veterans Day.

“Today, we talk about words. We talk about what Veterans Day means. We talk about the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Memorial Day is to honor those who are not with us. Veterans Day is to honor all. But let us remember who veterans are and what we went there for, what veterans were willing to give up for our freedoms: our freedoms to keep this country strong; our freedoms to protect our shores from foreign invasions; our freedom to protect our citizens – those who make America what it is.

“I'd like to acknowledge any veteran present today, on behalf of everyone here. Thank you for your service and unselfishly placing your lives on the line for freedom.

“We are incredibly fortunate to live in a country that values liberty and is rooted in freedom. These freedoms, though, come at great cost. On Veterans Day, it is imperative we remember our brave troops and reflect on their sacrifice for our ideals and way of life; and forever indebted to them, we honor the service of veterans, past, present, at home and overseas. Our veterans deserve our sincerest appreciation. They heard the call of duty and answered it. We are forever in their debt.

“But let us also remember veteran families, who also bear a heavy burden, and they, too, deserve our respect and administration. Let us not forget our Gold Star Mothers and our Gold Star families – those who woke up in the morning knowing that they may never see their child again, but they were willing to suffer through that anguish, knowing why they were going and what was at stake for all of us.

“Veterans Day is important to families in the military, and it honors them, as well, for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to sacrifice for the common good. As a nation, our collective appreciation for our service members is beyond description. In this vein, let us promise to support our veterans, not only today, but every day.

“Perhaps you choose to fly the American flag proudly in front of your yard, hang a red poppy from your rearview mirror, visit a VA hospital, or send cards as the seasons change, donate to veterans organizations, or just simply look at a veteran in the eye and say, ‘Thank you.’ There is no shortage of ways to express our gratitude, and we can never do too much.

“At this point, I'd like to add those of us who are Vietnam veterans: We came home to an ungrateful country. We came home to a country that did nothing but shun us. They insulted us. It was an era of disrespect. But the Vietnam veterans were trained. They faced death; they faced evil; and when they came home, they did not stop banding together and fight. They fought for benefits; they fought for hospitals; they fought for medical help. And because of the Vietnam veterans, this country sees veterans a little differently than it did when I came home, and those my brothers here, who came home from Vietnam.

“I ask all of you today to always remember it is not just a day, it's not just words or a title. It's not a day off. It's meaningful. It is what brings our country together and makes our country strong.”

Nov. 11 also marked five years since the official unveiling and dedication of the “Circle of Honor” monument area, which serves as a memorial to those who served this country through active military duty.

Two of the project’s pioneering forces – Rocco DelGrosso of Krislyn Co., and former Niagara County legislator and current Lewiston advocate Lee Simonson – spoke of the shrine’s significance.

Rocco DelGrosso shares his thoughts on the “Circle of Honor,” and shows the placement of his father’s name: Joseph DelGrosso.

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“In my 50 years of construction work, I've overseen hundreds of projects, but helping create the ‘Circle of Honor’ has been the crowning achievement of my career,” DelGrosso said. “This wasn't just another construction job. This was about creating a lasting tribute to those who have defended our nation's freedoms.

“Every element here was custom designed and handcrafted especially for this site, from the eternal flame that you see here – it required reconfiguring gas lines – to the world map etched to the center, showing where our service members have stood guard and sacrificed. Each detail was carefully planned and executed with precision and the respect that so deserved.

“To the VFW and all the supporters who made this possible, your vision and generosity have created something truly remarkable. This isn't just a moment, it's a place where future generations will come to reflect and remember.

“While construction work is usually measured in months, this memorial will stand for generations, reminding visitors that our freedom didn't come free. It was purchased with the courage of millions of American service members – many who are here today.

“To our veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families, I hope you'll feel the gratitude that went into every detail of this tribute. This project was certainly one of the most rewarding projects I've ever done. It was very touching. And I'm proud to say that my father's name is etched here. He being a veteran, also.”

Lee Simonson addresses the crown, and points out an etching of his father’s name: Marvin "Si" Simonson.

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Simonson said, “If you remember Lewiston in the 1950s and ’60s, you'll remember Town Justice Sebastian ‘Buster’ Lombardi. … At times, if there was an incorrigible delinquent in front of him, he'd give them a choice. He'd say, ‘Buddy, you're either going to jail, or you're joining the army. You choose.’ Needless to say, everyone chose joining the army – and invariably, everybody came back to town to thank him profusely for turning their lives around and giving them a purpose.

He added, “In 1945, my father was a staff sergeant in Gen. Patton's Third Army in France. He was a proud member of what we call the ‘Greatest Generation.’ After Germany's surrender – like many soldiers – he thought he was headed home, but fate had other plans. He was put on a troop ship with 2,000 other GI’s – one of hundreds of troop ships – and they were all headed in one direction, and that was the Pacific. Their mission: Invade Japan.

“Now, every man aboard those ships knew the grim statistics: An estimated 1 million lives were going to be sacrificed. Can you imagine what they must have been thinking during those long days at sea?

“Then, just before they reached the Panama Canal, the ship’s loud speakers announced some amazing news: Japan had surrendered.

“Within seconds, all of the ships in the convoy took an immediate, 180-degree U-turn and started heading home. All of those men who were prepared to die were suddenly going to be reunited with their loved ones.

“My father said everyone was ecstatic, and it was a party all the way back to New York City.”

Simonson said, “When the opportunity arose to help plan and fund this memorial and to include my father's name among our local heroes, I was thrilled to honor him and so many others – working alongside dedicated community leaders like Bill Justyk and Vince Canosa and Harry Raby and the great Bruce Sutherland, and our contractor Rocco DelGrosso.

“The ‘Circle of Honor,’ which is arguably one of the best small-town memorials in the United States, was created for four sacred purposes: No. 1, first, to honor our veterans with the respect and admiration they deserve. Second, to enshrine and preserve Lewiston’s contribution to American history, making sure that it's never forgotten. Third, to educate and to tell stories behind every name here – stories of service and sacrifice from our families and our neighborhoods. And fourth, to inspire future generations.

“George Washington himself said it best: The willingness of our young people to serve is directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars are treated and appreciated.

“Today, Lewiston’s gratitude is etched in marble for all to see. It reminds us of an essential truth. Our service members didn't fight because they hated what was in front of them. They fought because they loved what was behind them.

“To our veterans: Your bravery didn't just protect our nation. It carved strength into the bedrock of our democracy. Your service just didn't guard our freedom. It guaranteed it. Your service didn't just shape our past. It secured our future. It laid the foundation for our dreams and aspirations. Your service is a bridge of hope that spans generations.

“And you probably don't know this, but this is the only memorial in the United States that describes what the eternal flame symbolizes – it’s front and center: America's flame burns brightly, fueled by the courage and sacrifice of those who have defended our freedoms.

“Ladies and gentlemen, that says it all.

“And if I may, let me add one more thing. May that flame symbolize Lewiston’s eternal appreciation to those who risked everything for the country we love.

“Thank you veterans.”

Those in attendance at the ceremony included New York State Sen. Rob Ortt; Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick and council members Rob Morreale, John Jacoby and Sarah Waechter; and Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch.

Former Buffalo Bills player Lou Piccone leads attendees in song.