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Veterans

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

May 31, 2021 by Inside Press

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.”

Filed Under: Cover Stories, New Castle News Tagged With: American Heritage, B-24 Liberator, Captain Peter Gaudet, Chappaqua, Fallen Heroes, Memorial Day, Memorial Day 2021, Memorial Day Ceremony, New Castle, Sacrifice, Town of New Castle, Ultimate Sacrifice, Veterans, William Witkin

Memorial Day 2021 Ceremony at Lasdon Park: Honoring and Remembering

May 29, 2021 by Inside Press

Success in Finding Housing for Hundreds of Homeless Vets in Westchester Noted too

Story and Photos By Grace Bennett

Katonah, NY– It was a small ceremony but one still rich in tradition every bit as beautiful as its bucolic setting of greenery and blooming flowers surrounding the Lasdon Park, Arboretum & Veterans Memorial. It was also the first Memorial Day 2021 in Westchester County to remember our fallen in an outdoor ceremony, a basic feature of American life that had not been possible last year due to the pandemic.

 “Today we reflect on ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things out of a sense of duty, honor and patriotism… their compelling experiences should be an inspiration and example to all Americans,” said Ronald Tocci, director of Veteran Services for Westchester. “Freedom is a gift, one with the courage and sacrifice of life and blood… while history judges the merits of each war, we must honor the spirit of those veterans who unselfishly served.”

The Color Guard’s ceremonial march to the Memorial podium preceded poignant words of respect and remembrance from public officials who had arrived from around the county. Tocci applauded Westchester County Executive George Latimer for the latitude he has received in his role, noting the county’s Patriot Housing Program as one example. “Within 24 hours of reporting a vet homeless, someone who goes out and finds that person, puts them in temporary shelter, and finds permanent housing,” he explained. “In the last four or five years, some 650 units have been found for persons deemed homeless. In Westchester, there are 55,000 vets still alive in Westchester and 353,000 with a military heritage.”

George Latimer thanked everyone for coming; he noted that yesterday’s service was the first of similar Memorial Day ceremonies taking place around the county; he emphasized that like Veterans Day, it offered an opportunity to be a day to put aside differences. He offered a special mention too for Jenna Scanlan, a Girl Scout from Yorktown Heights, who had received the Scouts’ Gold Star, its highest honor, for her and her troop’s work on preserving and creating signs for Memorials in the park’s Trail of Honor.

Latimer recalled being a young boy hearing from his father about the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 during World War II. If it weren’t for the sacrifices during that pivotal event, he pondered, “Would Adolph Hitler have ruled the world? It’s possible; it’s possible.” Yet, this monumental achievement “was just one small fraction of all of the sacrifices made by all the men and women on behalf of some greater goal.”

Memorial Day, he emphasized, was not just the beginning of summer.  “Spend an hour and go to a place of a remembrance, see names on a stone, on a plaque…” The fallen were people who lived and laughed just like us, he reminded, with their own hopes and dreams. “Their sacrifice can never be forgotten.”

The full ceremony and  the speakers’ remarks, which included a reading of John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields, was aired live on Facebook. The service will also be accessible at Westchestergov.com  

 

 

 

 

 

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

By Dr. John McCrae, 1915

 

 

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: County Executive, Fallen, homeless, Lasdon Park, Memorial Day, Sacrifice, Veterans, Veterans Memorial, Westchester County

FALL PROGRAMMING AT THE NEW CASTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

September 15, 2019 by The Inside Press

This Fall, there are programs for everyone at the New Castle Historical Society!
Check out the full slate of programs below:

Oct. 4th & 5th: Tag Sale and Purse Party

Oct. 19th: Ambulance Tours & Exhibition Opening at the Museum

Nov. 3rd: Film Screening at the Bedford Playhouse Theater (collaboration with other historical societies & the playhouse)

Nov. 11th: Meet our Local Veterans Public Program at the Millwood Fire House.

Detailed Descriptions:

Friday/Saturday October 4th-5th, Tag Sale and Purse Party

10 am – 4 pm
at the Horace Greeley House (100 King St. Chappaqua NY)

The New Castle Historical Society will host a tag sale at the Horace Greeley House, come either rain or shine. Visitors are welcome to come shop for purses, antiques, jewelry, art, decorative pieces, vintage treasures, and more! Do you have any items you would like to donate? Donations in good condition will be accepted, to be dropped off on October 1st. Please note: we will not accept media items, books, electronics, sports equipment, children’s toys or large furniture.

Saturday, October 19th, Ambulance Tours & Exhibition Opening
Stop by the Horace Greeley House on Saturday, October 19th for two free events celebrating the opening on the NCHS’s latest exhibition, A History of EMS in America, featuring the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Daytime Family Program (1 pm – 4 pm)

Bring your family and learn about CVAC through guided ambulance tours and equipment demonstrations.

Evening Program supporting CVAC

(6 pm – 9 pm) 

Celebrate the opening of the exhibit A History of EMS in America, featuring the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps! Wine and nibbles provided, plus terrific raffle items! All raffle proceeds go towards raising funds for a new ambulance.

Sunday, November 3rd, Film Screening: “All Things Bakelite: The Age of Plastic”

at the Bedford Playhouse Theater (633 Old Post Rd, Bedford, NY 10506)

On November 3rd, 2019, the Bedford Playhouse Theater, in collaboration with the New Castle, Bedford, and Mount Kisco Historical Societies, will show the award-winning 2018 documentary “All Things Bakelite: The Age of Plastic.” Following the screening, Executive Producer, Hugh Karraker, will discuss the making of the film and answer questions.

This joyous and provocative film tells the story of Belgian-born American chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland, the “father of modern plastics.” In 1907, he made one of the most transformative discoveries of the 20th century in his Yonkers-based lab: Bakelite, the world’s first wholly synthetic plastic.

While 2019 marks the 110th anniversary year of the Bakelite patent, the influence of Baekeland’s discovery can still be observed in our daily lives. The film captures both the wonder and the curse of Baekeland’s biggest invention and its impact on our lives today.

The event will be held at the Bedford Playhouse Theater, 633 Old Post Rd, Bedford, NY, on Sunday, November 3, 2019 (final showtime will be released closer to the event date). Tickets will be available on the Bedford Playhouse Theater website: https://bedfordplayhouse.org/.

Monday, November 11th, Meet our Local Veterans

2 pm

at the Millwood Fire House (100 Millwood Rd, Millwood, NY 10546)

On November 11, 2019, the New Castle Historical Society will host a “Meet our Local Veterans” program at the Millwood Fire House.

2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the first celebration of Armistice (Veterans) Day. During the interval of interwar peace between WWI and WWII, “Armistice Day” was declared a federal holiday to commemorate the official end of WWI on November 11th, 1918. American society is currently more socially disconnected to the military than at any time since that interval between the two world wars.

Although we now celebrate Veterans Day each November, American society lacks an understanding of veterans and their experiences, causing veterans to be viewed in the abstract rather than as the community members that they are.

Veterans Day honors the courage and sacrifice of all the men and women who honorably served in the military during times of war or peace. This day is a special reminder to show our appreciation of these brave members of our community.

During this public program, local veterans will share their stories in a space in which they can be heard by our local community. This public program encourages our local community to gain a better understanding of the experiences of the veterans in our community. Following the stories, a brief reception will be held to allow veterans and audience members to meet and further discuss their experiences.

The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at the Millwood Fire House at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 11, 2019. For further information, please visit www.newcastlehs.org or call (914) 238-4666.

Filed Under: Not for Profit News Tagged With: Bedford Playhouse Theater, Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Chappauq, CVAC, Fall Program, Fall Programming, New Castle Historical Society, Veterans

New Memorial Day Tradition Suggested: Hug Your Children!

May 28, 2019 by Inside Press

From Victory Corners to Memorial Plaza, a village gathered to enjoy Chappaqua’s 2019 Memorial Day parade and ceremonies

Article by Madeline Rosenberg    Photos by Hannah Rosenberg

The echo of drums and bagpipes competed with the cheers of parade watchers who lined downtown Chappaqua for the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. Waving miniature American flags, residents and visitors honored the veterans and organizations* who proceeded down King Street. Chappaqua Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts were among the first groups to march down the hill, as they held American and troop number adorned flags. Some expressed that walking in the parade was an opportunity  to present themselves to the community.“I love representing the troop because a lot of people don’t know we have a boy scout troop,” Thomas Macchetto, a troop member and Greeley senior, said before the parade began. “It’s fun to see everyone come together because you don’t see people like this very often.”  

As these groups walked past seas of families and friends dressed in red, white and blue, parade marshals, as well as federal, state and local officials followed them, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, ‘first neighbors’ who made their annual parade day appearance.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein, and board members Lisa Katz, Ivy Pool and Jeremy Saland joined the Clintons in the procession, as did State Assemblyman David Buchwald and state Senator Peter Harckham, and area clergy including Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester.  Clapping and waving parade watchers greeted them. (Editor’s Note: A tiny group of hecklers found their voices dimmed by the crowds so enthusiastically greeting those in the procession.)  
Please also visit: https://www.facebook.com/theinsidepress/ for additional coverage and footage of Memorial Day 2019 in Chappaqua

 Organizations spanning from the Chappaqua School Board and Library to AYSO and Town of New Castle Senior Citizens also participated in the event, along with veterans who paraded in military vehicles. Parade watchers saw no shortage of students in the procession, as the Greeley, middle school and elementary school bands each performed patriotic songs, which became the background for the First Responders who followed them, trucks included.

Student and adult volunteers from the Chappaqua and Millwood Fire Departments and the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps,  and officers of the New Castle Police Department, all marched in their uniforms reminding parade watchers of the importance of honoring those who serve, beyond Memorial Day.

But the presence of veterans and the town’s first responders was not the only reminder of the importance of service or the holiday’s meaning. As the parade finished at the train station, attendees gathered around officials, veterans and girl scouts for the Memorial Plaza Ceremony.

Captain Jonathan Luttwak

Chappaqua resident and Captain Peter Gaudet led the ceremony for the first time, which included biographies of New Castle World War II veterans, in a recognition of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.** Along with recognizing the dignitaries and veterans present at the ceremony, Guaudet asked parents to hug their children as part of a new tradition.

“A lot of us veterans have friends that can’t hug their children because they didn’t make it back — gave the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

A keynote address was made by U.S. Army Veteran Captain Jonathan Luttwak,*** who served in Iraq and Kuwait. 

Continuing to honor those who served, Luttwak reminded attendees in his speech that Memorial Day represents more than a time to barbeque and celebrate with friends and family, but a day to pay tribute to those who died while serving in the armed forces.

“Today we continue that tradition and pause together to pay our respects to our fallen hero,” Luttwak told the audience. “We honor their sacrifice. We honor their selflessness, their patriotism and the legacy of service they leave behind.”

Madeline Rosenberg is a senior at Horace Greeley High School where she was a section editor for The Greeley Tribune. She will be attending Cornell University in the fall.

Hannah Rosenberg is a photography intern at Inside Press and a senior at Horace Greeley High School where she was a photo editor for The Greeley Tribune. She will be attending Cornell University in the fall. 

 

 

Captain Peter Gaudet and Christine Maffucci

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emma Grace Jorgensen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Info from the Town of New Castle:

*The procession proceeded as follows: New Castle police escort; Color Guard of Chappaqua Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; Parade Marshals; Dignitaries-Federal, New York State, Westchester County, Town of New Castle Board, Justices and Officials, and Clergy; Chappaqua School Board and Chappaqua Library Board; The Kerry Pipers; World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq-Afghanistan Veterans, NY Guard, Gold Star Mothers, and Military Vehicles; 5th New York Regiment-Revolutionary War Squad; Parade of Historic Flags; Town of New Castle Senior Citizens; Horace Greeley High School Band; Chappaqua Girl Scouts, Brownies and Daisy Troops; Robert E. Bell School Band, Chappaqua Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts; Community Organizations; Chappaqua Elementary Schools Band; American Youth Soccer Organization; Chappaqua Pre-School Parents Association; Seven Bridges Middle School Board; Town of New Castle Fire Commissioners; Chappaqua and Millwood Fire Companies; Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps; and town of New Castle Police Escort.

** World War II Veteran Biographies compiled by David Egerton; read by Chappaqua Girl Scouts Troop 2576:  Private William Viscomi, U.S. Army, 4th Armored Division-read by Christine Maffucci. Sargent Peter J. Lynch, U.S. Army 78th Division-read by Emma Grace Jorgensen. Following these readings was The Honor Roll of the New Castle War Dead

*** Mr. Luttwak is the founder and CEO of DHC Real Estate Services, a certified service-disabled veteran owned business. Founded on the belief that real estate is the ‘where’ that enables all we do as a nation, DHC is a full-service commercial real estate firm that combines the successful execution of real estate strategies with a sense of purpose and exceptional service to its clients. A seasoned real estate professional, withmore than ten years of transactional experience, Mr. Luttwak has worked with many of the world’s most demanding enterprises and completed numerous real estate transactions worldwide. Hisreputation for delivering value and unrivaled customer service was honed during more than a decade at Cushman & Wakefield, where Mr. Luttwak worked in the New York City headquarters alongside the Chairman of Global Brokerage. Prior to entering the private sector, Jonathan served six years as a United States Army officer reaching the grade of captain. He qualified through Airborne and Air Assault school and deployed to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror. Mr. Luttwak is deeply tied into the community professionally and personally. He is the Vice President of the West Point Society of New York and an officer on the Board of the West Point Jewish Chapel Fund. He is also an active contributor to numerous charitable organizations and passionate supporter of initiatives that serve to better the veteran and active military community. Mr Luttwak earned his Bachelors of Science undergraduate degree in systems engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Columbia Business School with concentration in real estate.

Filed Under: New Castle News Tagged With: 2019 Memorial Day, Chappaqua parade, community, Memorial Day, Memorial Day Parade, New Castle, Sacrifice, Veterans

14 Resident Veterans Honored at the Bristal

December 2, 2018 by Grace Bennett

 

Bristal Assisted Living at Armonk, an assisted and independent living community, celebrated Veterans Day honoring a group of 14 residents who served in the military. State, county and town officials joined the ceremony, commending the veterans for their courage and service.

North Castle Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro, on behalf of the North Castle town board stated:  “Your bravery is like that recently witnessed by first responders going into the wildfires of California. It’s no different than what all of you did for all of us so many years ago, and we just can’t thank you enough.”

Honoring veterans at the Bristal (L-R) North Castle Supervisor Michael Schiliro; State Assemblyman David Buchwald; North Castle Councilwoman Barbara DiGiacinto; North Castle Councilman Jose Berra; North Castle Councilman Steve D’Angelo;The Bristal at Armonk Executive Director Samantha Krieger; County Legislator Margaret Cunzio; and U.S. Navy Veteran Stephen Smith representing the Byram Veterans Association.  Photos By Grace Bennett

State Assemblyman David Buchwald noted, “Your service is inspiring to the entire community. This day is about each of you and the men and women you served with. I wouldn’t miss this opportunity for anything.”

County Legislator Margaret Cunzio presented an American flag that had been flown in a search and rescue helicopter. It was given to her by a cousin, a Major in the Air Force who had recently returned from service in Afghanistan. A second cousin, she also noted proudly, is a lieutenant colonel who served five tours of duty.

“He (the Major) was in Syria last year, and had just returned home to his nine month old baby girl and three- year- old son. There’s a video of him coming home and his son saying:  “That’s my daddy. My daddy’s home. My daddy’s safe.”

“I am honored and proud to display this flag,” she said. 

Photos by Grace Bennett

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk, military, North Castle Town Board, Resident Veterans, Veterans, Veterans Day

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