Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and Veterans Service Agency Director Joshua Gaccione joined local veterans and officials on Friday for the county’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Lasdon Public Gardens and Veterans Memorial.
The ceremony recognized the ongoing commitment of veterans, both during their military service and in their continued contributions to their communities.
“Veterans Day is a time for the nation to express our gratitude for those who put country before personal safety to ensure our enduring liberty. But, we want to make sure that in Westchester County, every day is Veterans Day. Our gratitude for your service is deep and real. But it is through the ongoing work that our Veterans Service Agency does for veterans and their families, that we put our gratitude into action. We see you, we appreciate you, and we are here for you and your families just as you were here for us,” said Jenkins.
Gaccione added: “Today, we honor a commitment few understand and even fewer make. As all veterans know, the mission doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. What truly defines our veterans is their ongoing commitment to service. We are incredibly proud to witness these same patriots carrying that sense of duty into our communities — mentoring youth, supporting fellow veterans in need and stepping up wherever a helping hand is required. Their courage, dedication and loyalty continue to be an inspiration to us all.”
Rosa Ramirez, a 30-year army veteran and local entrepreneur, also spoke at the event about her journey through military ranks, her academic achievements with three master’s degrees, and her path as an entrepreneur.
“Today, let us honor our veterans not only with gratitude, but with action. Let us build lives, businesses and communities that reflect their courage. Let us remember that the legacy we inherit is not just to remember, it is to rise,” Ramirez said.
