As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, Friends of The Kensico Cemetery held its twentieth annual Veterans Remembrance Service on Friday, May 22 at 2:30 PM.
The ceremony’s roots trace back to 2006, when journalist and veteran Milton Hoffman partnered with fellow veterans Larry Barnett, then Vice Commander of the Jewish War Veterans of America, and Chester Day, then President of Kensico Cemetery and current Chairman of the Friends. Together, they envisioned a public memorial ceremony at Kensico to honor those lost in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and to recognize all who have served. Jewish War Veterans Post 191 donated the plaque that stands at the memorial today, which reads: “The willingness to sacrifice is the prelude to freedom. This memorial is dedicated with appreciation to the men and women whose loyalty and service during times of war and peace define the character of this great nation.” From that founding collaboration, an annual tradition was born.
Over the past two decades, the ceremony has grown to include a coalition of veterans organizations, community leaders, and local elected officials, as well as tributes to Kensico’s two Medal of Honor recipients. Those recipients are Luigi Palma di Cesnola, a Union Army officer during the Civil War who later became the first director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Michael Murphy, a Union Army Lieutenant Colonel honored for his valor at the Battle of North Anna River in 1864, who went on to serve as New York City’s first Police Commissioner.
Yet through the years, it has remained anchored by two defining cornerstones — military honors and the reading of the names of Westchester County soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Open to all members of the community, this year’s service continued that tradition, recognizing all who have served and remembering POWs and MIAs. The ceremony took place at the Veterans Memorial monument adjacent to the Administration Building and included wreath placements, the raising of the American flag, scripture readings, and guest speakers. This special event traditionally starts the area’s observance of Memorial Day.
The 250th anniversary added particular resonance to this year’s service, which for the first time paid special tribute to Judge John Fitch, Kensico’s very first interment. A member of both the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of the Cincinnati, two of the nation’s oldest hereditary organizations, open only to those who can trace their lineage directly to officers and
patriots of the Revolutionary War. Judge Fitch’s recognition this year underscored a tradition of patriotic partnership at Kensico spanning more than 137 years, reflected in the cemetery’s longstanding collaboration with a range of local and regional organizations dedicated to honoring veterans and preserving their history.
Chester Day, in discussing the ceremony, said, “We were honored to gather once again with community members to commemorate this milestone of 20 years. Together, we ensure that those who gave so much in service to this nation are never forgotten.”