| At Noon on Veteran's Day 2010 Shipmates of the USS Boston, Veterans of conflicts from WWII to Vietnam, gathered in front of the Milton Point Firehouse to witness the re-dedication of an anchor that served the vessel starting in 1942, and had previously sat in front of the now-razed Durland Scout Center. Also assembled were Rye American Legion members, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Rye Police Officers and many other citizens of Rye, along with many of Rye's Firefighters. A Color Guard from the SUNY Maritime College was also in attendance.
Chief George Hogben led the ceremony, and local speakers included Mayor Doug French, NY State Assemblyman George Latimer and Rye American Legion Post 128 Commander Jim Burke (also a Milton Point Hose Company member.) Members of the USS Boston Shipmates then spoke to the crowd and presented Chief Hogben with several gifts as tokens of their gratitude for the preservation of a part of their ship's history.
Rabbi Robert A. Rothman, also a US Navy Veteran, then offered his thoughts on the anchor's and Boston's roots in the history of American freedom and liberty and how important it is to be an active part of your country's democracy. (Rabbi Rothman had also helped dedicate the anchor when it was brought to Durland thirty years ago.)
Many thanks again to everyone who helped preserve this piece of US Naval history.
Please visit the News Archive for 2010 to see Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Anchor's Aweigh story series:
http://www.ryefire.com/apps/public/news/ |