On Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., Glen Cove residents gathered at the Doughboy Monument to pay tribute to the city's, and by extension, America's veterans. This year's honoree was James Doran, a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War and an active member of VFW Post 347.

James Ruff, Post 347 commander, invited Louis Noon, a World War II prisoner of war, to stand by his side at the podium as the commander thanked all of our country's veterans for their selfless service to a grateful nation, both in time of war and in time of peace.

Commander Ruff spoke of the universal soldier. "We are of all ethnicities, ages and creeds ... men and women," he said. "We are your neighbors, friends, the grocer down the street." He noted that more than one million Americans have died in defense of their country and added, "Some were great heroes and very well-known, but most were just ordinary citizens called to duty from the safety of their homes to the dangers of war." He repeatedly expressed grateful appreciation to all veterans. Following a prayer by Post Chaplain Vincent Martinez, Sr., Commander Ruff introduced Glen Cove Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi.

Mayor Suozzi offered a special thank you to all Glen Cove veterans and families in attendance and continued, "We must also pay tribute to the many deceased veterans who have served our nations through its history but who cannot be with us today. I want to recognize the veterans and their families who we identify as POWs or MIAs and who may still be subjected to the hostilities of our nation's enemies. While their service to our country at war or at peace may be a distant memory or a historical milestone to [those of] us who have not served, they each carry within them forever the memory of their service, or the physical wounds or emotional scars that may never heal. There are over 19 million veterans alive today and to you and all those who came before you we say thank you and we salute you."

Mayor Suozzi called Mr. Doran up to the podium and presented him with a pin of the City of Glen Cove that, the mayor remarked, Mr. Doran could add to his bevy of war medals, which include the American Theater Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Korea Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal, United Nations Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

When the mayor introduced Mr. Doran, cheers went up from the crowd, and the man of the hour took his place at the podium. He thanked what he called a "great group of people," with a special thank you to his wife, children and grandchildren, and expressed his hope that "we all continue to remember, not just today, but forever" the sacrifices made by so many during times of war. "God bless our veterans and troops, and God bless America," concluded the honoree.

Following the speeches, the Honor Guard rang out a 21-gun salute and brother and sister George and Amelia Weck played Taps in echo.

As the ceremony ended and the crowd disbursed, members of the assemblage made mention of the Glen Cove men and women currently serving in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, of those who have safely returned home and those who are currently waiting for deployment. One woman summed it up by saying, "May all Americans return home safely."