Jun 5, 2008 1:32 PM
The UFT Veterans Committee placed a Memorial Day commemorative wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, saluting for the fifth consecutive year — in a poignant and non-political ceremony — soldiers who have over many generations made the supreme sacrifice. The Long Island City HS JROTC provided a color guard. Committee Chair John Garvey led the observance and Richard Barron read a powerful poem, “Off to War,” which conjures images of soldiers, both volunteers and draftees, who by twist of fate found common cause, common suffering and common humanity. The Veterans Committee, which is active all year, is currently addressing several pressing issues on which it seeks support. One is legislation allowing all JROTC instructors to be able to transfer from the Board of Education Retirement System to the Teachers’ Retirememt System; the other is permitting eligible members to buy back up to five years of military service. Both NYSUT and the AFT endorse both pieces of legislation.