Veterans Day 2018 marks the 100th Anniversary of the end to World War 1, and today, American Legion together with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marine Corps League Detachment held a beautiful ceremony at Veterans Memorial Garden to honor not only Ridgefield’s veterans but, all of America’s 21,800,000 veterans.
The musical voice of the American Legion Post 78, Ridgefield High School sophomore Evelyn Carr opened the ceremony by singing the National Anthem.
Ridgefield High School freshman and 2018 Ms President US winner, Hersha Chauhan, reflected on the words of our Founding Fathers saying, “It is now up to America to maintain these privilege we have. The pursuit of happiness among all, was the greatest gift that America has given to everyone.“
The featured speaker was lifelong resident and Army veteran Julius Robert (Bob) Tulipani who served his country during the Korean War and later taught elementary education for 25 years at Veterans Park school.
George Besse who succeeded Tulipani as Legion commander introduced Tulipani by saying, “In my opinion, he [Bob Tulipani] is the man who set the foundation for all of the great programs and projects the Legion performs today.
Tulipani spoke of the myriad of ways American Legion Post 78 pays tribute to veterans and keeps Americanism alive. In addition organizing the Memorial Day Parade, visiting veterans at local nursing facilities, and sponsoring baseball teams and cup scouts, the Legion provides scholarships to RHS students so they can learn about working in government and decorates 700 local veterans’ graves with American Flags.
Besse honored those of our greatest generation, “Our World War II veterans are passing at a rapid rate,” he said, adding, “There could be no WWII veterans in the next five years. So, let’s honor those of the greatest generation while we still have a chance to do so. We’d like to honor a female veteran, Ridgefielder Evelyn Wisner on her 98th birthday, she was a Navy flight nurse who saved wounded soldiers during WWII.”
The ceremony came to a close with Cub Scout Pack 74 laying the wreath on the memorial monument followed by Military Honors with playing of taps.
Thank you to American Legion together, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Marine Corps League Detachment and Evelyn Carr, who, in addition to singing the National Anthem, filled us with American pride by singing America the Beautiful and God Bless America.