Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 6pm, the American Legion Post #651 conducted post of the flags of our nations armed forces during a short flag raising ceremony at Sparrow Park.

Starting at Midnight on November 10, 2007, the Smith-Wever American Legion Post in Sayville, began a 11-hour detail of “Walking Post” in honor of Veterans Day.

“Walking Post,” also known as “Guard Duty” is a crucial act of safety and vigilance that is carried out on a daily basis across U.S. military installations worldwide. It is a 24-hour activity that directs assigned soldiers of U.S. troops to literally walk the perimeter of their military installations and be on the lookout for any potential dangers to their comrades. It is a function that is carried out every day, whether in peacetime or wartime. While Walking Post, soldiers walk in measured steps and conduct almost mechanical silent rifle shoulder changes. They are relieved every hour in a very formal drill and their uninterrupted steady, rhythmic steps in all manners of climate or chaos serves to reflect an undeterred commitment to our country.

In honor of all past and present U.S. service men and women on Veterans Day, members of Smith-Wever Post #651 will re-enact this important function in front of Veterans Memorial Park (also known as Sparrow Park) in Sayville. “We are indebted to our many brave service men and women,” says Frank Ciulla, Commander of Smith-Wever Post #651. “We are carrying out this activity to honor our these Veterans, as well as to help inform people about the sacrifices that our current soldiers make on a daily basis.”

The ceremony started at precisely Midnight on Saturday the 10th. Members of Smith-Wever Post #651 then continued to Walk Post throughout the night, until the next morning.

Smith-Wever Post #651
23 Foster Ave
Sayville, NY 11782
www.smith-wever.com