SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Taps echoed throughout the crowd at the hallowed hall of the Onondaga County War Memorial, patrons looked on and honored the sacrifice so many have made for our country. Anne Marie Mancilla, who served in Iraq, had her kids attend the event.
“Maya was born while I was still serving, and it’s important for them to see and just all generations of people that I’ve served, you know, outside of us,” said Mancilla. “But yeah, just to, you know, be able to be part of these ceremonies.”
Friends of Veterans Award recipient, Cindy Meili said it’s important to remember and thank those who put our country ahead of themselves right.
“We just need to show (Veterans) that what they’ve done will be reflected in the future,” said Meili.
The ceremony had Vets in attendance that are running for Congress, like Brandon Williams, and others from all around New York, the Wounded Warrior projected, and even from serving in the navy on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Mancilla says that having these events are meaningful. “That’s what it’s about. We all did this to protect our freedoms.”
The purpose of the event was to honor vets, and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh read a proclamation to cement the day in history.