Speaches

A Day We Must Never Forget
By Frank Cirillo

American Icons
By Dick Schneider

For over 80 years, Rye Post 128 of the American Legion has organized a Memorial Day program for the citizens of Rye. This year's ceremonies, per tradition, offered moments of reflection for those now serving our country and those who have made the supreme sacrifice. As the Rolls of Honor, the Gettysburg Address and “Eulogy for a Veteran” were read, wreaths placed near the Memorial plaques on City Hall and Taps played, a perfect stillness filled the Village Green, and united we stood.

Richard Schneider, author and past vice commander, was presented with the Post's 2007 Americanism Award. He gave a rousing address on the mysteries and magnificence of three American icons, the Statue of Liberty, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the bugle call, Taps. He noted that Taps, which was composed during the American Civil War, is now played around the world, by other militaries and even a Berlin department store, which plays it over the loudspeaker system to announce closing time.

At the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Schneider said with strong emotion, “Soon you will hear those notes wafting over the trees here. Please think of the 175,000 men and women now fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pray for them! Pray for them.”

Frank Cirillo, a Rye High School senior, delivered his prize-winning Memorial Day essay, “A Day We Must Never Forget.” He said, “Today, we do far more than honor our values of independence, patriotism and freedom; we honor real people. This holiday is so important because it brings tangible faces to the ideological struggle for freedom and justice.”

The complete text of Mr. Schneider's speech and the three top essays by Rye students in the Rye Ford-Subaru contest are available on our website, www.ryerecord.com.

— Robin Jovanovich