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The Rev. Darius Pridgen, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, delivering the keynote remarks at the Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 9 at the VA Western New York Healthcare System on Bailey Ave. in Buffalo.

VA Healthcare observes Veterans Day



Buffalo (WBEN) -- A Veterans Day ceremony held Friday afternoon at the VA Western New York Healthcare System on Bailey Avenue in Buffalo.

Veterans from all the branches of service recognized during the hour-long ceremony in Freedom Hall at the VA facility.

Those gathered heard from the Rev. Darius Pridgen, an Air Force veteran and a member of the Buffalo Common Council, who talked about what he learned while serving.

"The world didn't revolve around me. I learned that quickly. I learned that just because I was an only child didn't mean I was the only person on earth. I learned it quickly," Pridgen said.

He also said he learned people can get more done when they work together.
 

"There was no black. There was no white. It wasn't about a woman. It wasn't about a man, protestant, catholic, none of that. All that mattered was that person having your back," he said.

The ceremony also included an art project presentation from students who attend Lake Shore Central High School. 

Those gathered also participated in a musical salute to the five branches of the service, a reading about the history of Taps, a playing of Taps, and the presentation and the retirement of the flag.

In his remarks, Brian Stiller, the Medical Center Director, also noted that one percent of the U.S. population was still in uniform serving in various locations around the globe.  Stiller also thought it was appropriate that Veterans Day is held so close to the general election because veterans have always defended the freedoms and privileges that Americans enjoy.

 


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