On Monday, May 28th, over a hundred people gathered for the annual Brewster Memorial Day parade. It is a day to take time to reflect on the sacrifices and remember those who died in the service of our country. This year, VFW Post 672 paid special tribute to two Brewster residents who lost their lives in service to their country fifty years ago. PFC Kenneth Totten Jr., USMC was killed in action in Vietnam on March 30, 1968 and Spec 4 Stephen Nassani, US Army was killed in action in Korea on October 5, 1968.
“I’m overwhelmed by the turn out today. People are here to honor all the people who made the ultimate sacrifice, “ stated Art Hanley, Commander of the Brewster VFW Post 672. “Kenneth Totten Jr. and Stephen Nassani are Brewster boys who will be forever young having died at the ages of 19 & 20 in 1968.” Hanley added, “We are sad that one of the members of the greatest generation was under the weather and for the very first time ever missed the ceremony. Bob Palmer has always been out there to put the flags on veteran graves, but he is with us in spirit and we are all praying for him.”
Many residents and community organizations participated in the parade. Among them were the Brewster Fire Department; Brewster High School Marching Band; Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts, NY Riders of Putnam; St. Lawrence O’Toole Knights of Columbus; Joseph Castellano, Chairman of the Putnam County Legislature, and MaryEllen Odell, Putnam County Executive. The Blumberg Family owners of Rock Hill Farm brought a team of Belgian Work Horses and a large wagon with seats to carry those Veterans who were unable to march but would like to participate in the parade.
Eddie McDowell is a US Army Veteran who served from 1962 – 1965 in the Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA). “It was a difficult job, a hazardous job, but service is where it is required,” explained McDowell, “I am so proud to have served our nation. I am just so unimaginably proud to honor the other people that have served as well. God Bless America!”
Members of the community were thanking the veterans in attendance for their service and paid their respects for those who were not there. “It is a good day to remember the people who couldn’t be here because they have given up lives or are in hospitals,” stated Alan Gruber, “It is an important day.”
It is important to remember that freedom is not free and we thank those who have served our country to give us the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of that freedom.
“Memorial Day is one of the most important holidays in our country because we, as Americans, are remembering those that have given their lives so we can have freedom,” explains Jack Duncan, Brewster American Legion Post 71 Adjutant & Town of Southeast Town Historian.“This particular day, we remember two Brewster residents who gave their lives in 1968," continues Duncan, "We have told their stories to honor their memory and their families. It got to me personally. And I’d just want to thank the community for coming out in the numbers they did.”
For more information, Visit the Brewster VFW Post 672 website which includes a page on the Bob Palmer Project.
Photo Credit: Peter B. Carey, Brewster HamletHub editor. For more photos, visit our Facebook page.
Also, check out this amazing Facebook album by Todd Gianguzzi of Gianguzzi Photography.
Brewster HamletHub is working in conjunction with the Brewster VFW Post 672 on a series of articles entitled “View of a Veteran: Freedom is not Free.” To read more about the service and sacrifices of our neighbors, see our past articles:
View of a Veteran - Freedom is Not Free- Interview with Mr. Andres Gil
View of a Veteran - Freedom is Not Free- Interview with Mr. Robert Rottkamp
View of a Veteran - Freedom is Not Free. All about the Brewster VFW Post 672
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