Two dozen men.
Many had lain their lives on the line wearing a U.S. military uniform. They were in formation, of sorts. They all sat in wheelchairs, lined up across the front of a crowded room. Some smiled. Some were expressionless, their consciousness permanently damaged by strokes or Alzheimer’s. Some shed tears. One man couldn’t stop crying. Another could not remember his own name.
Some things cannot be obliterated by strokes or Alzheimer’s. Today’s ceremonies at the Riverhead Care Center, which counts 28 U.S. military veterans among its residents, got underway today with the Pledge of Allegiance. The veterans — regardless of cognitive ability — snapped a salute or placed their hands over their hearts.
One by one, each man was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Councilman John Dunleavy, a 75-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, who shook the hand of each of his fellow veterans.
Dunleavy has been attending Veterans Day ceremonies at the nursing home on behalf of the town board for the past three years.
“These men served our country and deserve the respect of everybody. I like to come here to show them my respect,” he said. “A lot of them never leave this place. The town is very proud of them and we want to honor them.”
Dunleavy says the smiles on their faces motivates him to participate in the ceremonies every year. “My heart beats with joy just to look at these people and to see their smiling faces,” he said.
“This is their last battle to fight and they are going to do so with dignity,” said Liz Stokes, co-chairperson of the Riverhead veterans advisory committee. Stokes and co-chairperson Kim Judd assisted with distributing certificates to the veterans.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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