Special thanks to the William Bradford Turner Post of the American Legion of Garden City for conducting the annual Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11. We appreciate all that they do to honor and remember those men and women who have served in our armed forces in support of our country.

The services held this year were made extra special with the rededication of the Rainbow Division Monument located on the corner of Clinton Road and St. James Street South. Along with 2nd Deputy Mayor Peter Bee, Senator Kemp Hannon and Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell, over 200 residents and visitors attended this event. The opening prayer was from Bishop Rodney Michel of the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Speakers included former commanding general of the 42nd Tom Garrett, now head of New Jersey Homeland Security; Hugh Kilmer, Eric Furda and James Zobel. Four middle schoolers who won the essay and poetry contest about the Rainbow presented their works: Carolyn Vaeth, Jessica Stellmann, Tommy Pandolfo and Colin Dickinson.

On Thursday, Nov. 11, the village trustees and I hosted our third volunteer recognition dinner at the Garden City Casino. This event allowed us to express our appreciation to those volunteers who serve on the village's various associations, boards, commissions as well as our volunteer fire chiefs and officers of our special police. In addition to the list of invited guests, invitations were extended to our village school board and officers of our four property owners' associations as well as their traffic commission representatives.

Certificates for service awards were presented this year to the following: 5-Year Certificates: Sue Davis (Environmental Advisory Board), H. Bradford Gustavson (Planning Commission), John F. McGowan (Library Board) and Robert C. Seitz (Architectural Design Review Board). 15-Year Certificates: Robert L. Clarey (Zoning Board of Appeals), Charlene McGowan (Civic Beautification), Althea Robinson (Civic Beautification) and John G. Villanella (Zoning Board of Appeals).

At the Thanksgiving holiday I feel that it is appropriate to pause for a few minutes and reflect upon those things that we may take for granted and how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful community. In doing so, I quickly acknowledge the many employees of the police, fire and public works departments who will work around the clock on Thanksgiving to assure the safety and comfort of our families. I also want to acknowledge the members of the volunteer fire department who remain ready to leave their homes to come to our aid. I also would like to thank the special police for their efforts in helping out in the annual Turkey Trot, thank you to each of these fine people for the sacrifice they make in leaving their families during this holiday time to attend to the welfare of our residents.

The board of trustees and I extend sincere Thanksgiving wishes to all of our residents and their families. Village offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 25, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. For your convenience, correspondence for the village may be placed in the "Letter" drop slot at the front door.

Residents are reminded that there will be no garbage or recycling pickup on Thanksgiving Day. Those scheduled for recycling on Thursday are asked to put their recyclables out Thursday, Dec. 2. Garbage collection for the Thanksgiving week will be Monday and Friday for the western half of the village and Tuesday and Saturday for the eastern half. Rubbish collection for the entire village will remain on Wednesday.

The Turkey Trot Committee of Garden City, Inc. will conduct its 27th annual Merrill Lynch Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 25. Mail in registration is now closed but you can still register Wednesday, Nov. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. with late registration on race day from 8 to 9:15 a.m.

The race will form at St. Paul's School with the 1.4-mile run beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the 5-mile run scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The 5-mile race will start on Stewart Avenue, in front of St. Paul's, head east to Cherry Valley Avenue, continue south on Rockaway Avenue, west onto First Street, then onto Cambridge Avenue, north on Whitehall Boulevard, continue south onto North Avenue to Cherry Valley Avenue back to Stewart Avenue, then west onto Stewart Avenue past St. Paul's and north on Hampton Road. The final lap will continue south on Rockaway to the finishing line at St. Paul's.

I would like to thank Race Director Roger Eltringham, along with his committee members, Dwight Blomquist, Randy Colahan, Rod Cooney, John Garvey, Paul Glorioso, John Kannengieser, Scott Masterson, Steve Matteini and Walter Siniscalchi, for their time and efforts in this yearly event. Net proceeds will be donated for the benefit of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.