NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The Intrepid Museum held its annual Veterans Day ceremony Saturday afternoon honoring all military service members, including some of the Intrepid crew.
In a statement the Intrepid Museum said that the ceremony is an “occasion of remembrance to reflect, honor and express gratitude for the sacrifices made by the brave men and women in the armed forces.”
Rear Admiral Wesley McCall of the Navy spoke at the event and reflected on what he says is the price of freedom.
“We remember those who have fallen in the line of duty, those who rest in Arlington National Cemetery and in cemeteries around the world. We also remember their families who also bear the weight of their sacrifice,” McCall said.
The ceremony also included remarks by Commissioner of the New York Department of Veterans’ Services James Hendon and Co-Chairman of the Intrepid Museum Bruce Mosler.
The Intrepid Museum is located at Pier 86 in Hell’s Kitchen and serves as a military and maritime history museum. The Intrepid itself was an active service aircraft carrier from 1943 until 1974, when it was decommissioned for the second time.
While the ceremony honored all veterans, there were eight former crew members of the Intrepid at Saturday’s ceremony, including Machinist’s Mate Third Class Stuart Gelband.
Gelband told 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 that has had a good run on the Intrepid, but his brother, who served in the Marines during the Vietnam War, came home in bad shape and died young.
“People have given their lives, people have given their health, and a lot of people don’t come back the same as when they went in. And it’s unfortunate that we don’t sometimes understand the sacrifices that others do so that you can enjoy the freedom that you have,” Gelband said.
The ceremony concluded with a floral wreath being thrown into the Hudson River to honor all veterans.