Over 150 people gathered on Friday morning at Veterans Memorial Hall on Pond Lane to celebrate those who have served in the armed forces defending the United States of America.
Local vets paraded down Jobs Lane shortly before 11:00 a.m. to arrive on Pond Lane in time to start ceremonies shortly after the 11th hour, and Bill Frankenbach, chair of the village's Commission on Patriotic Events, served as master of ceremonies.
Jason Cofield, a 1986 graduate of Southampton High School and current co-owner of Evolution Fitness, was honored with a proclamation for his service during his tenure in the Air Force. Cofield, also a member of the Shinnecock Nation, provided security for Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton and served in Operation Desert Storm before being honorably discharged due to a back injury in 1997.
Cofield reminded the public to "find a veteran in your neighborhood or on your block, and just get out there and talk to them."
Peter Cheney, a Vietnam veteran who served as guest speak for Friday morning's services, added to Cofield's point, saying that "we must revive Veterans Day and make it more personal."
