The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Captain Peter Gaudet

Captain Gaudet’s Memorial Day 2021 Message: “Find Ways to Be Worthy of your American Heritage.”

by

Honoring Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice at the Memorial Day 2021 Town of New Castle Ceremony

World War II Vet William Witkin, Turning 100 this Year, Receives Special Recognition

Plus… A Promise to Bring Back the Town’s Parade “in 100% Full Force” in 2022

Story and Photos By Grace Bennett

Chappaqua, NY, Memorial Field–Captain Peter Gaudet, keynote speaker at the Town of New Castle’s Memorial Day Ceremony, honored the nation’s fallen today stating that “as we pull out of the Covid crisis, each one of us needs to find ways to be worthy of our American heritage… and therefore worthy of the supreme sacrifice of those fellow Americans who gave their lives for our liberty.”

L-R: U.S. Army Captain James McCauley, U.S. Army Captain Peter Gaudet, Honorary Guest, World War II Air Force Veteran Ltd. William Witkin, CVAC Captain Bob Coulombe, and Witkin’s wife, Joan.
L-R: County Legislator Vedat Gashi and New Castle Town Board: Lori Gowen Morton, Supervisor Ivy Pool, Deputy Supervisor Jeremy Saland, Lisa Katz and Lauren Levin

In perhaps the service’s most poignant moment, Captain Gaudet also recognized the honorable World War II Air Force Ltd. William Witkin in attendance–he will be 100 years old this year. “He flew B-24s out if Italy in WWII to bomb Nazi oil refineries in Austria. When I see him here today and say his name, I get chills up and down my spine.”

In past years, Memorial Field would accommodate upwards of a thousand or more for a ceremony at the conclusion of Chappaqua’s world renowned parade down King Street and across Greeley Avenue with so many in the community participating, from the long procession of fire trucks to school marching bands, and parade goers waving to and many finding a chance to exchange a few words with and/or photograph dignitaries and esteemed neighbors including former President Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Governor Andrew Cuomo. In 2020, the ceremony was held virtually due to Covid.

Captain Gaudet noted that in 2022, the town’s Memorial Day Parade would be “back to 100% full force.”

Yet, today was no less grand in feeling anyhow as a modest, appreciative gathering of about 100 residents and visitors heard Gaudet recognize so many in the New Castle community who made the event possible, including the New Castle Police Department, the Chappaqua Volunteer Fire Department, the Millwood Fire Department, the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Chappaqua Girl Scouts 1& 2, and Chappaqua Girl Scout Troop 1024, “the Girl Scouts who had planted a bed of Memorial flowers to honor our fallen heroes,”  the Memorial Day committee–Captain Jim McCauley, David Egerton, Barbara Jenkel and Eric Rosenfeld–Town Clerk Jill Shapiro and Tiffany White, Sari Shaw, the sponsor of the flowers, Town Supervisor Ivy Pool, Deputy Supervisor Jeremy Saland, Town Board members Lisa Katz, Lori Gowen Morton, and Lauren Levin, and also County Legislator for New Castle, Vedat Gashi. 

“It’s a yeoman effort every year to make this so special,” Captain Gaudet said.

During the Invocation, Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs of the First Congregational Church asked everyone to pause for a moment of silence to remember the many, many people who have died during this pandemic. “We pray for all who continue to be affected, pause to give thanks to all the first responders and front-line workers who kept us going and for the vaccine that enables us to be here today.”

“To honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice…,” Dr. Rev. Jacobs continued, “may we be mindful that the sacrifices made by these brave men and women and their families continue to this day; they remind us that America is a great country, but we can never take that for granted.”

In other highlights of the ceremony, two Girl Scouts, Erica Dunne and Gramercy Burton, presented a wreath to honor fallen veterans. Dunne (with Girl Scout Troop 1029) read the oral history of fallen New Castle veteran Corporal William Vance Moss and Burton (with Girl Scout Troop 1079) read the history of Staff Sargeant Kyu H. Chay–both these readings were via biographies prepared by David Egerton. Gaudet also recognized members of the Chay family in attendance.

Recognized today too: the family of Staff Sargeant Kyu T. Chay. Sargeant Chay was killed in action in Afghanistan. The New Castle 120 Bridge into Chappaqua is named in his honor.

The Chappaqua Orchestra’s Kevin Moore, on bagpipes, played Amazing Grace.

Jordana Lichtenthal sang both the National Anthem and God Bless America.

As the sun emerged, Captain Gaudet called upon Captain Jim McCauley and Lt. Col. Michael Finkelstein to join him to read ‘The Honor Roll of New Castle War Dead,’ “those New Castle veterans fallen in defense of our country,” he said.

“In harm’s way around the world, Americans have performed amazing acts of selfless service. They are sources of inspiration and motivation, and we honor them by doing our best to serve our family, to serve our community and to serve our great country.”

In New Castle: A Virtual Ceremony Captures the Spirit of Gratitude & American Resilience

by

Every year on the last Monday of May, the streets of downtown Chappaqua are filled with children and adults all ready to honor those who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. The Memorial Day parade has always represented one of the hallmarks of our town, bringing together the community in a way unlike any other. However, the town of New Castle did not let the current situation dissuade from the spirit of this holiday. Working with the Memorial Day Committee and the New Castle Community Media Center, a virtual Memorial Day parade ceremony was born which compiled images of the parade from past years, too.

U.S. Army Captain Peter Gaudet

U.S. Army Captain Peter Gaudet opened the ceremony and set the tone for the 2020 virtual New Castle Memorial Day Parade. He acknowledged that “while we’d all prefer to be together, we will do what Americans always do so very well: we will adapt and overcome… and go virtual.” He thanked the New Castle town board and town supervisor Ivy Pool, elected officials along with Captain James McCauley (the decades long Marshall of the Parade), David Egerton, Jill Shapiro and Carrie Krams, and all those “whose hard work and dedication make Memorial Day so special in our great town, in our great country, every year.”

Memorial Day Clarity

“With crisis always comes much confusion, but also in crisis, there are moments of great clarity,” he continued, “clarity in principles, clarity in purpose, clarity in commitment and service, clarity in resilience… Memorial Day provides clarity as to the true purpose of this holiday, for all of us to remember and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for and giving their lives for our country and our freedom.” 

Captain Gaudet offered words of encouragement regarding the challenges presented by the coronavirus crisis, calling it “just another enemy that our country will defeat.. Let’s take counsel of our courage; let’s not take counsel of our fears. We will survive. We will thrive. We are Americans. We are not American-nots.”

“As we virtually gather to remember those who have died in service of the United States of America, may we be mindful that the sacrifices made by these brave women and men continue to this day,” Reverend Dr. Martha Jacobs of the First Congregational Church passionately explained. “They remind us that America is a great country, but we cannot take that for granted. We need to be willing to place personal needs aside in order to promote a greater good for all, just as those who have fought and died for our country showed us through their ultimate sacrifice.”

Following Reverend Dr. Martha Jacobs’ prayer was Jordana Lichtenthal singing the national anthem with videos of past Memorial Day parades playing. This year, World War II veteran Ronald A. Freeman was honored. Training as a radio officer, Mr. Freeman served in France and Italy, eventually earning the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal.

The names of fallen U.S. veterans over the years were read by Captain James McCauley. Frank Huber of the Chappaqua Orchestra then played “Taps” to honor the military service men and women who have fought for our country.

President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton each praised the soldiers and community during this tumultuous time. “This Memorial Day is unlike any other, but in many ways it makes it even more important for us to thank those who have served our country in the past,” stated President Clinton, who have put their lives at risk to ensure our freedom…” Secretary Clinton continued, exclaiming, “Although we will miss marching with everyone to pay tribute to our veterans on Memorial Day, our hearts will be with all of you and we also want to extend our gratitude to everyone serving now throughout the world.”

Senator Charles Schumer also made an appearance, praising the active soldiers and veterans of our country. “It has been a difficult few months for all of us, but today I draw strength from all of you – all of you who have sacrificed for our nation so we can enjoy the blessings of liberty. I promise that as we fight back against this disease that you are safe and you are cared for, just as you have cared for us.”

“This Memorial Day looks a little different. We aren’t able to stand together for our ceremony in New Castle, but it remains our solemn duty to honor our fallen heroes and mark this moment despite the uncertainty of this time,” asserted Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey. “Today we pay tribute to those who have demonstrated the highest form of selflessness remembering those who have served our country around the world and honoring the families and communities they left behind.”

New York State Assemblyman David Buchwald also celebrated those who have sacrificed themselves in service to our country. “This Memorial Day is unlike any in history, but if there is something we need to hold onto is those things that make life truly precious and those who have given themselves so that the rest of us might be free are deserving of tremendous gratitude. Please reach out to their families and convey your appreciation.”

New York State Senator Peter Harckham also joined in on those commending the servicemen and women of our country. “This Memorial Day, it is important that all Americans pause to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms. Normally this takes the form of parades and large civic gatherings to honor their sacrifice. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, that’s not possible. I’m urging all New Yorkers to take a moment to honor our fallen heroes in their own way. It’s so important that we not take our freedoms for granted and we remember all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.”

“The COVID-19 virus has cost us many familiar events over the course of the spring – opening day for the Little League, celebration of Easter, Passover, Ramadan, Cinco De Mayo and in certain ways, Mother’s Day, but New Castle never forgets its veterans,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer declared. “Memorial Day is not one day a year – it is everyday in our hearts and those men and women who went off to war and those who didn’t come back will never be forgotten for the great sacrifice they made. We thank the New Castle community, Chappaqua, Millwood and all of us for making sure this Memorial Day, although different, is still special.”

Westchester County Legislator, Vedat Gashi added:“Right now we are celebrating our holidays differently, but the meaning behind our celebrations are more important than ever. Memorial Day remains a time to remember the heroes whose sacrifices made these moments possible. Every single one of us owes our fallen heroes a profound debt of gratitude.

The New Castle Town Board, comprised of Town Supervisor Ivy Pool, Deputy Town Supervisor Jeremy Saland, Town Board Member Lauren Levin, Town Council Member Jason Lichtenthal and Town Council Member Lisa Katz, also delivered heartening messages for the veterans of our country and to praise the enduring spirit of the community. 

Jane Shepardson, President of the Board of Education, and Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of the Chappaqua Central School District each applauded the community and the soldiers of our country for their sacrifice and service. The Seven Bridges Middle School Morning Crew then expressed their sincere gratitude to the past and active veterans, as well as to the town of Chappaqua. Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts of America saluted those who gave their life and fought for our freedoms.

The ceremony concluded in song with narration by Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester who expressed gratitude to those fallen, to health care heroes, to first responders and more–and also with a blessing to the entire community.

The full 2020 New Castle Memorial Day Ceremony may be viewed on: