City Honors Glen Cove Veteran

Mayor Ralph Suozzi joined the community of Glen Cove in front of the Doughboy Monument in on Thursday to salute this year's Veteran Honoree James Johnson.

The Veterans Day ceremony was attended by members of local parliament, other veterans and friends and family of Johnson.

Vice Commander of the BFW Joe Lavery opened the ceremony with a prayer honoring all those veterans who risked their lives for this nation.

"Not all veterans have seen war, but the common bond they all share is the oath they take expressing their willingness to die for this great nation," Lavery said.

Lavery then turned the microphone over to Suozzi, who in heartfelt yet jovial spirits carried on the rest of the ceremony. After pausing for a respectful moment of silence, Suozzi reminded all the veterans present of their strength, bravery and courage while also expressing his gratitude and appreciation for their efforts.

"I am the mayor of a small city," he said, "I have no air force, no navy or army base, but if I had, I would have planes flying overhead saluting you."

After paying tribute to the men and women who have served and are serving in the armed forces and a brief history of the significance of Veterans Day, Suozzi went on to present Glen Cove's own James Johnson with a plaque honoring his services.

James L. Johnson was born in Glen Cove on August 14, 1945, which is also known as VJ-Day, the day which marks the Japanese surrender in World War II. He attended Glen Cove junior and senior school.

Johnson was called to duty in Vietnam in November, 1965, just two years after his graduation. He worked as a truck driver with the first Calvary and the fourth Infantry Division transporting ammunition, rations and fuel throughout the highlands of South Vietnam. After Johnson was discharged with a rank of Specialist four, he returned to Glen Cove to work as a carpenter. He then met and married Grace Marien of Sea Cliff in 1979 and the couple has been living in Bayville ever since. Johnson now works with the Hendrickson Bus Company, driving school buses.

Johnson thanked the Mayor for his "undeniable concern" for the veterans of war and for making the ceremony "special and meaningful" to the citizens of Glen Cove. He also thanked his fellow post members for naming him 2010 honoree.

Johnson said he was proud and humbled by the honor.

"Remember always that the cost of freedom comes with a price tag that cannot be calculated because all gave some, but some gave all," Johnson said.

A floral reef was then proudly laid on the lawns after which the ceremonial three shots were fired. The solemn sounds of the bugle concluded the ceremony.