The City of Rye conducted its annual tradition of honoring military personnel who died while in service to their country on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2024, at Rye City Hall. Unfortunately, the Memorial Day parade was cancelled due to weather.
With an overflow crowd at the Rye City Council chamber, American Legion Post 128 Commander Fred de Barros led the ceremony.
Mayor Josh Cohn, County Executive George Latimer, and NYS Senator Shelley Mayer and NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis all offered welcoming remarks and greetings. Mayor Cohn expressed the city’s commitment to updating the Veterans Monuments on City Hall with a target date of Veterans Day, November 11, 2024.
Commander de Barros awarded Westchester County executive George Latimer the American Legion Americanism award for his service and alignment to American Legion values of veterans’ support and community.
This year’s principal speaker was Rye resident Patrick Murphy. He is a proud US Navy veteran whose commitment to service extends from his military career to his community in Rye, NY. Raised in South Florida to Irish Immigrant parents, with a sense of duty and honor, Patrick served his country with distinction, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, flying Search and Rescue missions throughout the 7th Fleet and Iraq in the MH-60S Knighthawk Helicopter.
He discussed his life changing experiences as a “Dustoff” MEDEVAC pilot in Iraq.
Legionnaire Tim Moynihan read the “Oldham Letter”; followed by Legionnaire Terry McCartney who read the Roll of Honor. While the Honor Roll was being read, Legionnaire Tim Moynihan and SAL Commander Jeff Dempsey placed wreaths at the monuments at City Hall, the WWI flagpole and later at the Shaughnessy monument at Rye Recreation.
Fr. Daniel O’Reilly, of St Philip Neri Church, formerly of Resurrection Church led the Invocation.
The John M. Kingery Memorial Day Essay Contest Award was presented to Madeline Kilroy of Rye High School who read her winning essay on “What Memorial Day Means to Me.” She wrote how the Korean War had impacted her ancestors – both Korean and American.
The ceremony included the traditional recitation of the Gettysburg Address, this year by Henry Paul of Rye High School.
Commander de Barros recognized Rye Eagle Scouts who received the American Legion Good Citizen Citation: Ferdinand Coughlin, Matthew Pellegrini and Logan Jancski.
Robin Latimer, president of the Rye American Legion Auxiliary read “Flanders Fields” and sang a very inspirational version of “God Bless America”. For the second year in a row, Michael Talbot of Rye High School played Taps.
City of Rye video: https://ryeny.new.swagit.com/videos/306335
Mayor Cohn’s greetings: https://myrye.com/2024/05/memorial-day-speeches-rye-mayor-josh-cohn/
Essay winner video: https://myrye.com/2024/05/memorial-day-speeches-john-m-kingery-memorial-essay-contest-winner-madeline-kilroy/
Photos below.
Rye, NY American Legion Post 128 