Veterans Day 2017

Saturday, November 11

Veterans Day 2017 in United States of America

And this in Tribute to a Veteran that has served countless other veterans over an exemplary record of service for the last 30 years... 

Vietnam Veterans of America

Chapter 333 Rockland County 

New York

30th Anniversary 

In Honor of Jerry Donnellan 

"Rockland Veterans Agency Director, Jerry Donnellan, has announced his retirement — well, to the extent that Jerry can retire. We fully expect Donnellan to continue advocating for his fellow veterans, and welcome his rabblerousing on their behalf.

Donnellan, who has served at the agency for three decades, leads by example. He tells of his own catastrophic injury — riddled with shrapnel, a leg blown off in battle during the Vietnam War. He frequently discusses personal and ongoing struggles with post-traumatic stress. He has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs but has called out its shortcomings loudly and repeatedly.

Donnellan, 70, has done much to make sure local vets are remembered and properly honored. He worked for years to get notification from the VA when a servicemember returned home. He helped establish FAVOR, which stands for Find and Assist Vets of Rockland, which provides discounts from local merchants. He helped establish the county's Public Service Medal to honor those who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, or as part of the global war on terrorism. These and similar efforts, though, were also about connecting with local veterans who may be wary of government. That way, his office could provide support and advocacy now or whenever it was needed.”

The Journal News. http://www.lohud.com/…/06/07/veterans-thank-jerry/377080001/

These Words Delivered in Loving Tribute... for it was the vision held by Jerry Donnellan that these words were made known... Camp Shanks Memorial, 70th Anniversary and V-E Day. at the Piermont Pier, Piermont, New York

To Honor Those Who Lived a Cause

Flowers and flags in devoted array

A loving tribute in homage this day

To honor those who lived a cause

This moment, this day, and so a pause

Hearts and souls in valor known

Right Intention and devotion shown

Battlefields of victory and plight

Through all beheld freedom’s light

Answered they did to liberty’s plea

That freedom be held for a you, a me

Sons and daughters, husbands and wives

Children of purpose have given their lives

The breath of freedom an endowment divine

Bequeathed to life yours, life mine

With valor and sacrifice they gave

And embraced the call yet to be brave

In memorial and reverence gather we

For held be the right that we live free

Memory of each life gone never to fade

Live we life’s blessings for sacrifice made.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

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