On May 27, 1918, at a place called Chateau Thierry the embattled soldiers on both sides were on the verge of total and utter exhaustion when the German army of Kaiser Wilhelm resuscitated to mount a dramatic all-out offensive to destroy the American-Allied forces, conquer Paris and win the war that had dragged on for four long terrible years.

It was a last gasp effort that almost turned the tide when just 50 miles northeast of the French capital freshly arrived American Doughboys who had gone "Over There" "Over There" to make the world safe for democracy met the enemy and amid a savage blood bath at Belleau Wood stopped the German onslaught dead in its tracks.

With hard fighting over blood-stained ground the German army was gradually driven back to the region of the Argonne Forest where they regrouped July 15 to launch another offensive and after 40 apocalyptic days and nights of carnage the American and Allied forces slugged their way through the formidable Hindenburg line giving the Allies the armistice signed at the 11th hour on the 11th day and on the 11th month soon to be known as Armistice Day and later changed by an edict of President Eisenhower (who was a young officer in that war) to Veterans Day and it has been commemorated as such ever since.

Today, by the side of the long ago killing fields of Belleau Wood is a cemetery comprising nearly 3,000 graves of US Marines and soldiers, numbering less than half of those who were actually killed in that one horrific battlefield encounter. On a spare, lonely monument these words are carved deep into its stone and etched even deeper in hearts who survived the battle-scarred inferno: "Time Will Not Dim The Glory Of Their Deeds."

Well said indeed, yet how many honor students or, for that matter, high school Valedictorians ever heard of Belleau Wood? How many, of any age, remember the burden our soldiers have borne through the trials of other wars that would follow? The global conflagration of 1914 - 1918 was called the "war to end all wars" and in the following decades was known not as the First World War but the "Great War."

But the illusion of war's obsolescence was shattered 20 years later with a second and even greater world war and since then our troops have fought the foes of freedom in different time zones, across vast oceans, high above in the blue yonder and over the great continents of the earth.

Great words can soar yes, sentiments spoken can move, the written language can inspire but the loftiest ideals of nationhood, of our nation, are expressed most eloquently in the sacrifice and service of the sons and daughters who have unflinchingly faced the fields of fire in times of war.

So nearly 90 years after the last drop of blood was shed at Belleau Wood, our residents in union with the American Legion slowly gathered at Memorial Park at the 11th hour, on the 11th day and on the 11th month to honor, to commemorate and to remember once again. In a ceremony that touched the chords of the commonplace and the lyrical we paid tribute to our veterans both those who are living reminders and those who have departed from us with the consecrated truth - that freedom is never free.

As the mournful notes of Taps played in the backdrop of the multicolored foliage of fall, it was a poignant reminder that the work of commemoration is unending. When it ends we will end with it, for no nation can neglect its history nor ignore its heroes, living and dead, and long endure. Next year let us resolve to gather in greater numbers and observe with reverence and gratitude this grand and momentous day.

At its meeting Nov. 8, the board of trustees held public hearings in connection with four local laws relating to the administration and procedures of the Building Department. These local laws are being proposed in order to amend the code of the Incorporated Village of Floral Park so as to comply with the new mandates of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, which will become effective Jan. 1, 2007.

Local Law 9 of 2006 would repeal Chapter 30 of the village code. Entitled "Deposits to Guarantee Compliance," this chapter of the code, which was enacted in 1943, requires $25 deposits for building permits and $5 deposits to install oil burners. Since this chapter of the code has been superseded and replaced by other sections of the village code, it no longer is required and should be repealed.

Local Law 10 of 2006 proposes to award various parts of Chapter 19 of the village code, which is entitled "Building Department." Among other things, this chapter sets forth the powers and duties of the superintendent of Buildings and Code Enforcement officers. It also elaborates the process of building inspections and the processing of complaints regarding non-compliance with the village code. This chapter also addresses the record-keeping functions of the Building Department and reporting to the village board of trustees and New York Secretary of State.

Local Law 11 of 2006 would amend Chapter 41 of the village code. This chapter, entitled, "Bureau of Fire Prevention," addresses the process by which fire and safety inspections are conducted. It also includes new provisions that provide for the issuance of operating permits for those businesses that use or store hazardous materials.

Local Law 12 of 2006 would amend Section 99-58, 99-59, 99-62 and 99-63 of the village code, which provide for the application for and issuance of building permits. The amended provisions set forth the requirements for construction plans and the process by which certificates of occupancy/completion are issued. These sections also address the penalties and remedies available in the event that building construction or occupancy is in violation of the village code.

At the upcoming village board meeting Nov. 21, a public hearing will be held regarding Local Law 13 of 2006. As a result of a recent amendment of the Real Property Tax Law by the New York State Legislature, this local law would amend sections 73-2 and 73-3.B. of the village code so as to increase the maximum amounts of the income levels for eligibility for senior citizen tax exemptions by $2,000. The goal of this local law is, of course, to afford greater tax relief to our village senior citizens.

A number of our residents have received notice that an application for a special exception permit to conduct a "flea market" at Belmont Racetrack will be heard by the Town of Hempstead Zoning Board of Appeals. If approved, this flea market, which will be conducted in the green parking field behind the Floral Park-Bellerose School athletic fields will be on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from March 2007 thru December 2007. Based on a review of the plans submitted with the application, all traffic will enter and leave the Belmont facility by way of the Cross Island Parkway and Hempstead Turnpike. There will be no access through our village.

The application lies exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Town of Hempstead. The Village of Floral Park has no zoning authority over Belmont Racetrack.

Our village has enjoyed a cooperative relationship with the owner of Belmont Racetrack, the New York Racing Association (NYRA). It is of course in the interest of the village to see that NYRA remains financially stable in order to prevent the property from being used for more intensive purposes. Be assured, however, that this village board will do everything in its power to jealously guard the integrity of the village and the quality of life of its residents. We have already been in contact with the applicant, the Town of Hempstead Zoning Board of Appeals, the West End Civic Association, the superintendent of Floral Park-Bellerose School and the Chamber of Commerce.