Member of Post 2913 gathered together with recruiters from around Suffolk County, and members of the American Legion and Community to say a sad farewell to SGT Jonathan Collins, who was killed in a car crash on his way home from Alive After Five doing a recruiting event. SGT Collins has touched so many people in the community, none more so than his fellow recruiters. Members of his unit will be escorting him home to his Mother in Florida for his service.
Sadly some of the gravesite were missed during Memorial Day, so Members of VFW Post 2913 joined together with the Cemetery Restoration Committee to place flags on the sites missed.
Memorial Day is one of those days that the VFW does a lot in a short time, because we have so many to honor in just one day. Members of the Post and the Auxiliary gather together on this day to pay our respects to those that gave so much.
VFW Post 2913 started it’s day off by going to the water to honor those lost at sea to not return. We started this honor due to the fact that one of the people our Post is named after BLEECKER LATTIN, was on a ship in Pearl Harbor that sank during the attacks, and his remains never recovered.
We than go to one of the 5 cemeteries around the village and pay a lasting respect to a fallen Soldier. This year we went to St. Francis Cemetery and paid our respects to JOHN KELLY, a World War I veteran.
We than return to our post to pay our respects to all those members that have been lost this year. Members like ED SACCO.
Finally we line up for the Parade followed by a service at the Veterans Park in front of the American Legion Post 269. The Parade is organized by the United Veterans of Patchogue consisting of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Jayne-Lattin Post 2913, American Legion Patchogue Post 269 and American Veterans Post 111. This year the organizing organization was VFW Post 2913, led by Outgoing Commander GEORGE BARRETT, MC for the parade and event was Incoming Commander DAVE ROGERS.
After the parade the ceremonies continue at the Veterans Park, where JOHN GALLAER from EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PATCHOGUE gave the opening prayer. Followed by SOUTH OCEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL doing America the Beautiful. Incoming Commander DAVE ROGERS than gave the opening remarks about what MEMORIAL DAY’s start, where it was, and where it is now in the situation with the current wars, and those bringing the war home with them. Than the Commanders of the VFW (GEORGE BARRETT) American Legion (JON RALPH) and AMVETS (JOHN PIORKOWSKI) spoke about their views of Memorial Day. The Key note speaker was Mayor PAUL V. PONTIERI, JR. who spoke about not only what Memorial Day means to him, but also to the rededication of the memorial statues and cannons for those that gave all for their country. The Mayor also welcomed honored guest to the event including Village Trustees JOESPH KEYS, SUSAN BRINKMAN, and LORI DEVLIN. Suffolk County Legislator ROB CALARCO said a few word about the importance of Memorial Day to him and the Village.
After the speeches the United Veterans of Patchogue layer the Wreaths at the Monument, which included VFW Post 2913, American Legion Post 269, AMVets Post 111, VFW Post 2913 AUX, American Legion Post 269 AUX, American Legion Post 269 Sons, AMVets Post 111 Sons, and the Sons of the Union.
This was followed by the Firing Detail and Taps from AMVets Post 111, and GEORGE EGAN of VFW Post 2913 raising the Flag.
After the usual ceremony this year we also re-dedicated the WWI Cannons, done by the American Legion Post 269 and Mayor PAUL V. PONTIERI, JR.. Followed by the Dedication of the 9-11 Tree which was done by Incoming Commander and 9-11 First Responder DAVE ROGERS. Included in the dedication of the 9-11 Pear Tree was the MALER FAMILY who lost ALFRED RUSSELL MALER during the attacks.
We than presented trophies to SOUTH OCEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL and SAXTON MIDDLE SCHOOL for their renditions of Patriotic Selections during the Parade and at the Ceremony,
The ceremony was closed with a Patriotic Selection from SAXTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, and the closing prayer from JOHN GALLAER from EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PATCHOGUE.
The VFW than joined the American Legion for refreshments at the American Legion Post.
The day started off with Incoming Sr. Vice Commander Scott McKendrick doing Buddy Poppies at Angelo Sorto, Neighborhood Deli of Bayport. Than members of VFW Post 2913, American Legion Post 269, and AMVets Post 111 laying flags at Cedar Grove, Waverly Ave, Lakeview and Catholic Cemeteries in Patchogue. Incoming Commander Dave Rogers stopped by Swezey’s Fuel 100 Year Anniversary. Than Incoming Sr. Vice Commander Scott McKendrick and Incoming Commander Dave Rogers went out to push more Buddy Poppies. Overall a busy and productive day. Even the Pat-Med Library got involved with Memorial Day, doing Buddy Poppy related Art with Kids and teaching them about Memorial Day.
It is with great sadness that VFW Post 2913 announces the passing of Life Member Ed Sacco. Cherished husband of Patricia. Loving father of Linda Sacco, Edward (Barbara), Stephen, Kathleen Tozer (William), Christopher Mitchell, Eileen Strong, Francis Mitchell (Karen), Kelly Stouffer (Dale), Patricia Hunt, and Margaret Berg (Harold). Beloved grandfather and great grandfather of many. Proud World War II Veteran and former employee of Hewlett Packard. Memorial Service Thursday 2-4:30 & 7-9:30 p.m. at Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home, 683 Montauk Hwy, Bayport. Funeral Mass Friday 9:45 a.m. at Our Lady of the Snow R.C. Church, Blue Point. Inurnment Long Island National Cemetery.
Members of the Post paid their last respects today at the afternoon service. Present was Commander George Barret, Sr. Vice Commander Dave Rogers, Cahplain Mike Amodeo, Quartermaster George Egan, Past Commanders, Robert Parente, Scott McKendrick, Jim Orban, Winn Davis, Members Peter Palamidis, James Shine, and members of the AUX Past President Maria Shine, Lilian Orban, Millie Hasse, Ms. Davis
The family asks that if you wish to make a donation in his name please make it to VFW Post 2913, 32 Edwards St. Patchogue.
It is with sadness that we report the loss of Comrade and World War II veteran, Alfred A Hall. Members (Commander George Barrett, Chaplain Mike Amodeo, Sr. Vice Commander Dave Rogers, Quartermaster George Egan, and Members Peter Palamidis, Jim Orban, and Jeff Molitor) of VFW Post 2913 gathered tonight to give our final respects to the fallen comrade.
Jayne-Latin VFW Post 2913 would like to take this time to thank all those that made this a special year. Thanks to the hard work and dedications of our comrades, the support from the local community and the donations and sponsorship from both individuals and companies in the area we were able to do a lot of great things this year. Besides our annual marching in parades, placing flags and wreaths for comrades no longer with us, and talking at schools. This year we also spoke at the Cub Scouts, helped Judged the Patchogue Holiday Boat Parade, were able to continue bringing service dogs to the LISVH, donated to American Vet Dogs, Sponsor Harmony Cafe, do a Coffee with a Veteran, a holiday show at the LISVH, help a spouse who lost her soldier, contribute to the National Home for Children, donate shoes to homeless veterans at United Veterans Beacon House and Utica Community Center, help sponsor a program to honor veterans in Patchogue, sponsor the Arts on Terry Street Arts Fair, a veteran art show, the Walls of War Tour, helped select the Class of 2017 Pat-Med Hall of Fame, participate in Alive After Five, and Suffolk County Marathon, lay wreaths for Wreaths Across America at Calverton National Cemetery, helped with the dedication to new headstones at Union Cemetery in Patchogue, get a tree replaced for the Plaque in Swan Lake dedicated to Vietnam Veterans, continue our support to the Seniors Club, and local churches, attended some 20+ events in the community. All this while working with sponsors to upgrade our hall, get new appliances including a new range for our hall kitchen, a TV for the hall, and redo our lounge bathroom.
None of this is possible without the support of our community, our great sponsors and supporters like Country Foot Care, Home Depot Foundation, Patriot Mobility, Wekerle Insurance, The Greater Patchogue Foundation and Chamber of Commerce, The Village of Patchogue, Patchogue Department of Public Works, The Long Island Advance, Greater Patchogue, Pat-Med Red and Black, The Mayor and Trustees of Patchogue, Legislator Rob Calarco, Councilman Neil Foley, Town Supervior Ed Romain, Suffolk County Executive Steve Ballone, Suffolk County Veterans Services, Long Island Abate, State Senator Tom Croci, Congressman Lee Zeldin, Suffolk County Council VFW, The American Legion Post 269, AMVETS Post 111, Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer Program, S:US, Salvation Army, Team Red White and Blue, American Vet Dogs.
We also appreciate the businesses in Patchogue that show their support to veterans like the Village Idiot, Bobbique, Local, Arooga’s, Island Empanada, Roast Coffee and Tea, Fulton’s Gate, The Tap Room, Toast Coffeehouse, Torro Tappas and Tequila, Rhum’s, That Meetball Place, The BrickHouse Brewery, Amazing Olive, The Colony Shop, BLUMs, Kilwin’s, Swell Taco, Del Fuego, Rudi’s.
We look forward to doing all these things and more in the New Year, continuing our mission to help and support veterans, contributing to the community, and our personal mission or helping homeless veterans get back on their feet, supporting veteran artists, and honoring those that have given all for our freedom in this country.
May this New Year be filled with joy and bless from our family to yours.
Remember to keep our VFW, Auxiliary and 200 Club supporters in your prayers while they recover.
Jim and Lillian Orban, Chet Rhodes, Jimmy Ward, Ray Neubeck, Ed Sacco, Win Davis, Auxiliary Member Joan Parente.
The post received a Thank You note from the family of Edwin Blum
Dear VFW Members
We appreciate you honoring our father in such a beautiful way.
With Sincere Thanks,
the family of Edwin A Blum
vfwpost2913.com 