Westchester Reporter

Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Veterans Service Agency Director Ron Tocci commemorated Memorial Day by leading a special ceremony at Lasdon Park in Katonah. The event was marked by the creation of a new County Veterans Advisory Council and the re-opening of the park's Veterans Museum.

During the ceremony, Latimer signed an Executive Order establishing the new Advisory Council. This council will collaborate with the County Executive's office and the Veterans Service Agency to provide input on legislation, budget priorities, policies, procedures, and programs aimed at better serving veterans, active duty military members, and their families. The 15-member council will include at least one active duty military member in the ready reserves and at least six members recommended by the Board of Legislators.

Latimer stated: "Our Memorial Day Ceremony is an opportunity to publicly honor the sacrifice of our fallen service members and their families, which we do with humility and gratitude. But the best way we can show our respect is to make sure we're providing veterans and their families the ongoing support they deserve. The Veterans Advisory Council we're creating today will amplify and extend the outstanding work of our Veterans Service Agency, give us an additional avenue to reach out to a new generation of veterans and service members, and ensure that veterans and active duty service members have a direct line of communication to County government."

Tocci remarked: "Memorial Day is often referred to as the 'unofficial start of summer,' but at heart, Memorial Day is one of the most solemn days on the nation's calendar when we pause as a nation to honor the sacrifice of those men and women who gave all to preserve our freedom. Our responsibility as those who remain goes beyond honor and memory, to providing service to those who served us and education to society at large. That's why I'm grateful to the County Executive for his ongoing commitment to veterans and the creation of an advisory council on veterans affairs, and to the Parks Department for all their work in reopening the Veterans Museum with this wonderful new exhibit on World War II, which I urge everyone to come see."

The refurbished Westchester County Veterans Museum is located inside Lasdon Park. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The museum reopens with a new exhibit titled "The American Experience During World War II."

Eighty-three years ago, on July 10, 1941, 4,000 marines from the 1st Marine Provisional Brigade landed on British-controlled Iceland, marking America's entry into WWII—a conflict that spanned both European and Pacific theaters over four years. Exhibit panels summarize major battles while highlighting stories of local heroes from Westchester County who fought overseas during this period. Displays include historic WWII uniforms and military artifacts.

The exhibit also explores how WWII impacted life on the American home front through panels detailing war bond purchases, civil defense preparations, and events at Lasdon before it became a park.

Lasdon staff conceived the exhibit concept in February 2023. Curator Gigi Carnes conducted research for it; Alana Green designed its panels, labels, and overall graphic style; Mark Tolf installed it; Carol Genovese created video projections.

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