Scarsdale Celebrates WWII Veterans With Wreath Laying Ceremony

Scarsdale honored Veterans Day on Friday afternoon with a Remembrance and Dedication Ceremony held at the American Legion Memorial Garden on Mamaroneck Road. There, the American Legion presented the color guard and led an opening prayer delivered by Chaplain Theodore Gaskin before dedicating plaques to three World War II veterans who returned to Scarsdale following their military service and became active members of their community.

Wreaths were placed by family members onto plaques dedicated to George S. Goreson, Storekeeper First Class, Lieutenant Charles A. Reinwald, Esq. and Captain John S. Burrows Jr. before Mayor Miriam Levitt-Flisser and Representative Amy Paulin delivered comments toward participants honoring the deceased veterans. 

Levitt-Flisser spoke of the WWII memorial in Washington, D.C., which she said inspires her with its legacy of service. 

"If the evening is cool and crisp like today, you can see a mist coming off the wall," Levitt-Flisser said about the monument. "For me, it's as if the 58,253 names that are there are breathing life into my body. I feel invigorated knowing that these men and women gave their lives so that all of us can continue to live the American Dream."

"We're inspired by this sort of memorial -- the memorial there and this one here," said Levitt-Flisser, referring to the surrounding garden. "And what are supposed to do with that? I know there are children here, so I know they'll question, 'What is my part in this?' Your part in this is to serve; is to help; is to be a volunteer. You can volunteer in your school. You can help other children in your class that need help -- the way all of us do here. So that's what we'll take forward: the service that these Americans gave will inspire us to continue to serve." 

Following Levitt-Flisser, Paulin spoke a bit about the three honored veterans, mentioning that Burroughs had been serving in the White House in 1941 when the message came that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. Burroughs had apparently received the message and delivered it to President Roosevelt. 

Following a benediction and prayer led by Gaskin, participants were invited to partake in refreshments and share their many memories of the men whose duty in life had been to defend America's freedom.