Veteran honored with flagpole: Mero's service did not end with enlistment
MINEVILLE — Approximately 60 Veterans, family members and friends gathered around Keith Mero's front yard to witness the raising of a flag pole and stars and stripes to honor the Veteran's service during and after his enlistment, May 17.
According to Mero's bio submitted for North Country Honor Flight in 2022, he served in the U.S. Army from 1979 to 1992 in the Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations.
'With the 2nd Combat Army Regiment, Keith realized if trouble started this group would be the first to respond,' the bio read. 'When they were not in the field, they increased their training to be fully prepared. Keith was assigned to the Prisoner of War Team working with Military Personnel and Interrogators. As the first in battle, the Team policed all foot soldiers near the tanks. In constant contact with the commander, their mission was to capture the enemy. Some enemy soldiers laid down their weapons and those who continued to fight lost their lives. The Team processed 2,000 enemies with a sad casualty loss of one Team member.'
'This is dedicated to your service to see that all of those who served under you returned home,' Ceremony emcee Danny Kaifetz said.
The flagpole was then erected and Mero had the honor of raising the first flag.
Mero responded to the honor being bestowed to him by saying, 'I love you all, every one of you. Thank you.'
Keith's youngest son, John, spoke lovingly and with great respect for his father.
'I remember the places we traveled and the things we saw,' John said.
Keith persuaded his sons not to follow in his footsteps.
'I realized it was not all good, and you wanted to spare me the sacrifices,' John said.
John related the many things his father did for the community such as drive Veterans to the VA for services and initiating the Hometown Heroes banner program for Moriah.
Mero had also been a member of the Veterans of the North Motorcycle Association. On one occasion when the group was called upon to show support for a Veteran, he indicated he was not feeling too well, but went anyway. Two days later he had open heart surgery.
Keith's dedication towards others was reinforced by former Moriah Town Supervisor Tom Scozzafava. 'Keith came to my office and told me they planned on having 50 to 75 banners for Hometown Heroes. All we had to do was put up the brackets and hang them. Well, we have about 400; the most of any town in Essex County.'
At the conclusion, Mero received commendations from Essex County and Adjacent General of NY State Major General Raymond F. Shields. This included the Medal of Merit, a state-level military award presented for exceptionally meritorious service or for heroism by military personnel or Veterans.
In 1917 President Woodrow Wilson gave, in part, the following speech which was recited at the ceremony for Mero. 'We meet to celebrate Flag Day because this flag which we honor and under which we serve is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. and yet, though silent, it speaks to us. —speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us and of the records they wrote upon it.'
The American Heroes Flagpole Association, founded by Danny Kaifetz, himself a U.S. Marine Veteran, is based in Owl's Head, NY. They award hand-crafted 25 foot Northern red oak flagpoles to combat wounded, combat disabled and combat decorated Veterans throughout the Northeast at no cost.
On his website Kaifetz said, 'These donations and the accompanying ceremonies, the honor so long overlooked for so many who sacrificed greatly for our freedom, have led to the most rewarding moments of my career.'
According to Kaifetz, 'I am now finally in a position to refocus the purpose of my work and my goals in life. With a small group of outstanding officers and other veterans we have created the American Heroes Foundation with one purpose only, to honor great American heroes for their service and sacrifice.'
For those interested in submitting the name of a deserving Veteran, donating, or to order a flagpole go to: info@AmericanHeroesFlagpoles.com.
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