American Legion Salutes Veterans

Residents and local dignitaries gathered to remember all American veterans Monday - both living and dead - during a solemn salute at the war memorial on Seventh Street in Garden City.

"The honored dead shall not have died in vain. And the maimed, and the widowed and the orphaned shall receive whatever comfort and recompense a great people can bestow," Joseph P. Frey, commander of the William Bradford Turner Post of the American Legion of Garden City, which led the ceremony, said.

Auxiliary president Joan Nedelka added, "If you see a service person in uniform, why not go up and say 'thank you.'"

Chaplain Felix Iannacone led the group in a short prayer to remember comrades who have died this past year, including former Garden City mayor Richard Benack, who served in the United States Army.

"We are proud of them as comrades, Legionnaires and friends," Commander Frey said. "We are better men for having known them and take solace in knowing that they are now with you free from the sufferings of life and war."

A short dedication followed at the Rainbow Division monument on the corner of Clinton Road.