There are events you attend because you have to, and then there are those that remind you why you served.
Friday’s Veterans Day Ceremony at Lasdon Park in Westchester was one of the good ones.

County Executive Ken Jenkins and Veterans Service Agency Director Joshua Gaccione led the day with sincerity, no empty words, no grandstanding, just real appreciation for the men and women who’ve served and continue to serve long after the uniform comes off.

Gaccione said something that hit home for a lot of us:

“The mission doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. What truly defines our veterans is their ongoing commitment to service.”

He’s right. That sense of duty doesn’t go away. We just find new missions.

Rosa Ramirez: From the Bronx to the Battlefield and Back

But the story that really moved me belonged to Rosa Ramirez.
She’s Bronx-born, Army-tough, and carries herself with that quiet confidence that only comes from walking the hard road.

Rosa shared how, as a young woman from the Bronx, she once heard General Colin Powell; another Bronx native, speak in her neighborhood. His words inspired her to join the Army. Years later, she found herself serving under Powell himself.

That full-circle moment? That’s destiny meeting discipline.

Today, she’s got three master’s degrees and runs a local catering business in White Plains. The food, by the way, was outstanding. (Yes, I grabbed a second lunchbox; because if you’ve been to enough events, you know how much good food ends up in the trash. Waste not, want not.)

But Rosa’s message wasn’t just about her success. It was about service after service; how veterans can keep leading, teaching, and building in their communities.

“Let us honor our veterans not only with gratitude, but with action,” she said. “Let us build lives, businesses, and communities that reflect their courage.”

That’s the kind of message I wish more people would take to heart.

What Stuck With Me

I’ve been a veteran for over 30 years now.
In the early days, I was part of the color guard for Post 8 in New Rochelle and Post 347 in Larchmont. Back then, you could count the number of people at the Memorial Day parade on two hands. Veterans Day? Sometimes it was just us, marching for ourselves.

So yeah, it’s good to see crowds again; to see people showing up, listening, caring. But here’s the truth that doesn’t sit easy:

For all the ceremonies and speeches, I’ve seen too much resistance when it comes to real support.

I’ve built programs through BuildingBlocs Literacy and The BrightPath Academy that give veterans access to financial education, emotional resilience training, and leadership development; for free. No cost barriers, no red tape. And yet, I’ve watched leaders at every level; from state senators to local legislators, nod politely and disappear after Election Day.

Meanwhile, a few real ones like Legislator David Tubiolo in lower Westchester keep showing up and helping us spread the word. That’s what leadership looks like: follow-through.

Looking Ahead

At the event, I also spoke with Senator Pete Harckham from the 40th District. He’s consistently one of the most approachable public servants I’ve met. I was glad to hear he’s helping secure statewide expansion for the Vet2Vet program. That’s the kind of initiative that saves lives; and I plan to be part of that effort however I can.

So, yes, the event was beautiful.
The stories were powerful.
The food was delicious.

But what matters most now is what happens after the applause fades.

Veterans don’t need another day of thanks.
We need consistent action; access to education, mentorship, and support systems that don’t vanish once the microphones are packed up.

That’s what I’m fighting for.
And with leaders like Rosa, Ken, Josh, David, and Pete in the mix, I believe we can make every day Veterans Day in Westchester.