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COMMUNITY OP-ED JUNE 06, 2024 | The Indian Eye 18

Memorial Day: NY City will always

stand up and salute those who defend

our nation and our values

New York City is proud to be the first municipality in the country with a stand-alone agency dedicated to serving

veterans and their families. We cannot thank them enough, and for those who have left us, we can never forget

ERIC ADAMS

very year, we are proud to wel-
come our nation’s sea service-
Emembers to New York City for
Fleet Week, a celebration of the cour-
age and commitment of all those who
serve our nation — and those who
have given their lives to protect it.
As a patriotic American and
proud mayor, I want to extend my This is the greatest city in the greatest country in the world, and we should be proud to uphold the values of democracy and freedom (File/Agency photo)
personal welcome to each and ev-
ery servicemember joining us for the salute those who defend our nation life in Vietnam at the age of 19. He those values with the next generation.
longstanding Memorial Day Week- and our values. And as a city that was a patriot, a young man who was Patriotism is more than just love of
end tradition. was attacked by foreign enemies on willing to serve his country, no matter country. It is an act of defiant opti-
Fleet Week is much more than 9/11, we bear a special responsibility who was president because he cared mism, a commitment to building a
just the official start of summer to honor those who gave their lives in about our country. And it breaks my more just and equitable future to-
in New York. It is our city’s way of the conflicts that followed. heart when I see a poll that says 52 gether.
saying thank you to members of the That is why we are proud to an- percent of Americans would not de- This is the greatest city in the
Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard for nounce plans to build a new memo- fend this country if it was attacked by greatest country in the world, and we
their courage and commitment to rial honoring the 99 fallen post-9/11 foreign enemies. should be proud to uphold the values
serving our nation. It is because of servicemembers from New York I want every New Yorker to of democracy and freedom.
your work and your sacrifices that City. The memorial will be built on know: I’m one of the 48 percen- Once again, my deepest thanks
we are able to enjoy the beauty and the waterfront in the Whitestone ters. And I know that when it comes to all those who serve.
bounty of this nation, free to live our neighborhood of Queens, the bor- down to it, New Yorkers would give I want every single servicemem-
lives and uphold our values. ough home to the largest number of their all for this city and their fellow ber here for Fleet Week to enjoy
New York City is proud to be post-9/11 servicemembers who were New Yorkers. I saw it on 9/11, when their time with us, and I hope all
the first municipality in the country killed in action. The memorial will strangers rushed to help each other, New Yorkers will join me in welcom-
with a stand-alone agency dedicated honor a new generation of souls who and I see it now, when people stand ing you to our city and saluting your
to serving veterans and their families. lost their lives in the wars in Iraq and together against hate and division. service.
We cannot thank them enough, and Afghanistan, and will pay tribute to This Memorial Day, let us re- Thank you for all you do for
for those who have left us, we can the hundreds of thousands of New member all the Uncle Joes in our our country, and may God continue
never forget. Yorkers who have served our country families, the ones that lived their to bless New York and the United
As a major port city and a symbol in these wars. values and served proudly. Let us States of America.
of freedom around the globe, New I often think about servicemem- re-ignite the American spirit in our- Eric Adams is the Mayor of
York City will always stand up and bers like my Uncle Joe, who lost his selves and each other — and share New York City, NY

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