On Saturday, November 10 more than one-hundred CSEA members and invited guests braved chilly temperatures to attend the annual CSEA Western Region Veterans Day Ceremony held at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park.
The event was sponsored by the Western Region Veterans Committee. The event and committee is chaired by Amy Owczarczak from Erie County Local 815, who is also a Reservist for the United States Air Force stationed in Niagara Falls.
Several speakers including Mayor Byron Brown, City Comptroller Mark Schroeder, Senator Tim Kennedy and numerous other elected officials praised the Western Region Vets Committee for their outstanding contributions to improving the quality of life for all veterans who call Western New York home.
The scheduled program was ambitious– complete with a 21-gun salute from the VFW 1419 out of Hamburg, NY, laying of the wreath, a carnation dedication in memory of veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and the American Flag Folding Ceremony.
Western Region Veterans Committee would like to thank all the elected officials who attended the event, along with bagpiper Joe Baschnagel, singer TSgt Shamiqua Mason, Audrey Sigler, Hamburg VFW Post 1419, 914 ARW Honor Guard, Niagara Falls AFB, Boy Scout Troop #138, Paula’s Donuts of West Seneca and the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park.