[PHOTOS] White Plains Honors its Military Veterans

A crowd of people gathered at the at the soldiers and sailors memorial plot at the White Plains Rural Cemetery Monday for the city’s Veterans Day ceremony.

The event was hosted by American Legion Post 135 with the city’s Recreation and Parks Department.

During the ceremony, wreaths representing the Mayor’s Veteran’s Day Board, Home Defense, the White Plains Historical Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution were placed at the foot of the city’s Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument.

US Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jason Freeland gave the keynote speech and WWII Veteran, Ross Marsico was this year’s Veterans Day honoree.

Marsico joined the U.S. Army in 1923 after graduating White Plains High School. He fought in WWII with the 414th Infantry Regiment of the Third Army Division and fought in Belgium, Germany and France.

Marsico achieved the rank of technical sergeant when he left the Army in 1946 and three Battle Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Army Commendation Medal. He went on to serve as a police officer and volunteer firefighter in Harrison.

“It’s not just honoring me, but also all the veteran’s who have served,” Marsico said. “I was chosen as a representative for all the veterans who served.”

Marsico said he was unsure if any of the people in his old unit are still alive, but he always thinks of them.

“It definitely makes you think back,” Marsico said.

Freeland said he is proud to be part of a legacy of military service.

“When I’m an 80-year-old man sitting on the porch, I’ll definitely have some interesting stories to tell,” Freeland said. “It’s more than just a family thing. Once you make that commitment the join the Air Force, Marine Corps, Army and Navy, you become part of a family. We’re all brothers and sisters in arms.”

Freeland said his family at home also played a crucial role in his military career..

“My wife (Monica) came home from work and I said ‘I joined the Marine Corps’,” Freeland said. “She said 'OK'. She didn’t fight me on it or argue with me about it. I shipped out a week after that.”

Said Monica Freeland: “I knew it was a big decision and if he wanted to do it, I wasn’t going to stop him. He’s determined.”