The rains held off long enough last Thursday for Town of Montgomery citizens to honor the men and women who serve in America’s armed forces.

The annual Veterans Day ceremony on the lawn in front of town hall is the last for Town Supervisor Brian Maher. He was recently elected to the New York State Assembly and will be leaving his town office on December 30. He began the ceremony by passing the microphone to Deputy Supervisor Ron Feller, his successor, to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. Isabella Giannico of Maybrook Scout Troop 36 sang the National Anthem.

“This is not about politics today, this is about recognizing the Veterans,” said Maybrook Mayor Dennis Leahy.

Leahy paid special tribute to two Veterans: Richard Caudy, who passed away earlier in the day, and World War II Veteran Tony Marano who was present and celebrating his 98th birthday that day.

Walden Mayor John Ramos recognized the past, present and future defenders of democracy.

“Our youth is standing there, ready to take on the world, Ramos said, pointing to the Valley Central Junior ROTC that stood in formation. “Please keep in your hearts those soldiers that are not here, and those soldiers that are here, defending our Constitution and our freedom.”

Guest speaker was Frank Pettine, a Vietnam Veteran and Town of Montgomery Police Officer, who shared his recent experiences on a mission of Hudson Valley Honor Flight.

“I waited 52 years for this moment,” Pettine said, recalling that when he returned from Vietnam and landed in Oakland, CA, there was only one person there to greet him, a “scrawny second lieutenant” who handed him a plane ticket home. This is a marked contrast to the honor flight experience that features a hero’s sendoff at the airport in the morning, an escorted tour of the national monuments in Washington DC, and another hero’s welcome at the airport at the end of the day.
“The day was awesome,” Pettine said.

Pettine’s escort was Bobby Montanaro, a retired U.S. Marine Sergeant and a fellow police officer. He thanked Montanaro and also his wife Mary, who “hacked” into his phone for contact information that produced letters of appreciation for friends and relatives for his service.

Mail call, he explained, is a part of the Honor Flight experience. Pettine got to read the letters on the return flight.

“Reading those letters, I cried,” he said. “I had an awesome day.”

The town also remembered Steven Nicoli, founder of the Hudson Valley Honor Flight, who passed away September 26, 2021 at the age of 42. His parents, Gino and Joyce Nicoli had the honor of laying the wreath at the Veterans Monument.