Monday, May 25, 2015

Rudy Macina Peace Memorial Plaza - ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE



  Over 150 people came to Peace Plaza located at the intersection of Pelham Parkway North and Williamsbridge Road to honor soldiers from the past 5 wars overseas. 5 monuments stand in Peace Plaza for soldiers from World War I, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, and The Persian Gulf War. Silvio Mazzella a veteran from one of the 5 wars (he didn't say which one, but I would have to guess the Korean War) opened this Memorial Day Services with the story of the Civil War, and how after the Civil War had ended there was a coming together of the entire United States to remember those who died in the war. He said the first Memorial Day services were held In 1886. Silvio added that now Memorial Day has become the third day of a long weekend that people use to go shopping or to the beach, and to many are forgetting the real importance of Memorial Day, that being so Americans today can live the way they do, IN FREEDOM. The photos below will tell the rest of the Memorial Day services at the Peace Plaza off Pelham Parkway in the Morris Park section of the Bronx.


War Veteran Silvio Mazzlla opens the Peace Plaza Memorial Day services by telling the story of how Memorial Day came to be, as a remembrance of those who fought (and died) in the civil war. He then called up the elected officials and other veterans to say a few words. Behind Silvo are two of the remaining World War II veterans who are seated due to their age.


Above - The flag of the United States is raised.
Below - Father John Knapp says a prayer for all the fallen soldiers.


















Left - State Senator Jeff Klein says a few words about what Memorial Day means to him.
Right - Assemblyman Mike Benedetto Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veteran Affairs speaks.
















Left - City Councilman Ritchie Torres tells what Memorial day means to him.
Right - Veteran and Executive Director of the White Plains Road BID Joe Thompson told the story of being 5 years old during a war and how he knew that he would enlist to fight as soon as he was old enough.


Above - The laying of this years wreath above the 5 headstones that represent the past 5 wars the United States was involved in overseas.
Below - A salute to the soldiers who fought in those wars.




Above - You can see a few of the inscriptions on the headstones to remember each of the 5 past wars. 
Below - Old Glory flies high above Peace Plaza.




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