Murphy unveils traveling veterans' wall memorial

YORKTOWN, NY - A solemn procession led by Senator Terrence Murphy, military veterans from all branches of service and students was on hand to dedicate a Vietnam veteran's memorial at Mildred E. Strang Middle School.

A long-time supporter of the men and women who serve our country, Senator Murphy was touched by the presentation. "Our veterans are what make this nation so unique. They gave us our freedom. They protect us and make us the greatest country in the world,' he said. "Yet every veteran I've ever met is humble about their accomplishments. The humility, dedication and selflessness they've shown is a fine example of how we should all live our lives. They are truly American heroes."

As part of the ceremony, a traveling Veteran's Wall of Fame sponsored Senator Murphy and the New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame was unveiled in the lobby of the Middle School. The wall features Yorktown veteran Eugene Lang, a Purple Heart recipient, who earned his honor in Vietnam in 1968. "I was a refugee when I came to this country in 1956," Lang noted. "All of my friends were citizens, but none of them went to war. I did because I'm proud to be part of this country."

The members of American Legion Post 1009 were also on hand to honor their brother in arms. Senator Murphy and Dr. Ralph Napolitano each laid a wreath at the Vietnam veteran's memorial site in front of the school. Prior to Lang's speech, the school's chorus graced the audience with their renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "This Land is Your Land."

Carl DiLiberto, an air force veteran who served in Saigon during the Vietnam War said at the ceremony, "When we first came back from Vietnam it was hard to readjust and to talk to people who didn't understand what it was like over there. I think it's good that after all this time we're finally getting recognized for our years of service to our country."

John Giacomini, a navy veteran who also served in Vietnam added, "It's nice to see the children taking an interest in American history. It's important that we don't forget the people who sacrificed so much to keep us free."

The Veteran's Wall of Fame will be at the Mildred E. Strang Middle School through March 11. It will then travel to the Mt. Pleasant Community Center, where three veteran's - Jack Carosi of Mt. Pleasant, Gregory T. Lobato of Sleepy Hollow and Roy Westmoreland of Pleasantville - will be honored at a ceremony on Sunday, March 20th at 12:30.