The Memorial Day ceremony was held this year in the Village of Westhampton Beach to dedicate a beautiful new military park honoring the men and women from our communities who lost their lives fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today, and those who continue to serve our military to maintain those freedoms.
The park also celebrates the life of my grandfather, Arma E. “Ham” Andon, who, after being wounded during his service in World War II, survived to return home, dedicating his life to support veterans and their families through the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and many other service organizations. Every day of his life was about showing up and making a difference in other people’s lives through service to his country, community, family and friends. He loved our village and all of the many organizations he was a member of.
On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank the Village of Westhampton Beach; Mayor Maria Moore; Brian Tymann, for heading up the construction; the entire Village Board for its vision in creating this wonderful addition to our community; the American Legion, for its dedication to the project from beginning to end; Paul Haines, who led the charge, with Commander Tom Hadlock; and the entire membership participating throughout the process.
To all of my grandfather’s VFW comrades, friends from the Westhampton Yacht Squadron, Westhampton Beach Fire Department, Tom Fricke, Marcus Stinchi and Ali Christensen, and the entire community donating time, design services and funding to help build the park, our heartfelt thanks to you all.
The ceremony and all of the speakers were amazing, and the response to the new park has been overwhelming. Our family was so fortunate to have had my grandfather in our lives for such a long time, and we have heard from so many in our community that they felt the same way. While we miss him every day, we know he lives on not just in us but in his many friends and the people he mentored or helped along his way.
We always love hearing the stories that people share with our family of experiences they had with “Ham” that we never heard before!
Sundy A. SchermeyerWesthampton BeachThis letter has been submitted on behalf of the entire Andon-Schermeyer Family—Ed.
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