In what will perhaps be the last meeting in the VFW Hall on Second Street in Mineola, representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, gathered with uniformed servants of the community to remember and honor all those who sacrificed of themselves for their country and for their fellow Americans.

Due to the inclement weather, the Veterans Day memorial was moved inside to the VFW Hall, which was filled with Mineola Board of Trustees Maryanne Warnecke, Lou Santosus, Elizabeth Conlon and Warren Brinker; the Boy Scouts of Troop 45; Ida Mammina of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Chief Walter Langer of the Mineola Fire Department; Captain Stuart Goldstein of the Mineola Auxiliary Police Department; and Pat Tobin of the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

American Legion Commander Walter Hobbs and VFW Commander Manny Grilo reminded the audience of all that the veterans of this country had done to protect their freedom.

Grilo also promoted a new program which will teach the clubs and organizations within Mineola what being a veteran is all about.

The service, short and sweet, ended with a feeling of great respect for the accomplishments of the men and women who served the United States of America. It also closed out a piece of Mineola history, as the two organizations will now meet at the Mineola Community Center.

Though the exterior may change, the message will be the same and the American Legion and VFW will keep the torches of remembrance bright, teaching the youth of today respect for all those who fought to ensure they had opportunity and freedom in the United States of America.