Under a sunny sky, about 125 persons attended the annual Veterans Day commemoration Wednesday at American Legion Post No. 150.

The speakers were Kingston Veterans Association Chairman Bill Forte and Mayor Steve Noble. The Kingston High School Alumni Choir sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America.”

In brief remarks, Noble noted his administration is actively engaged in cooperative efforts to revitalize the city's memorials to service members.

In introductory remarks, Forte telegraphed the direction of his prepared address, referencing the “the great country” the United States “once was.”

In his address, Forte characterized veterans as having written a blank check to the country for their service, pledging up to and possibly including their lives. He said there is a lack of understanding about the principles behind military service, for which he blamed schools.

Forte quickly pivoted to American politics, saying, “Today there is much talk of embracing socialism, which is usually a precursor to communism. It is what many dictators throughout history have used to take full control over the people. Many forget that Hitler and the Nazis were first socialists…. How did that end up? Twenty-seven million people died.”

Socialism, he said, “is a surefire way to further erode your freedoms and liberties….”

Forte went on to note that service members took an oath to defend the nation “against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” interjecting that “our Constitution has been misinterpreted and reinterpreted to fit the agenda of the unscrupulous.”

Forte wrapped up by suggesting he is now unsure who the greatest enemies of the nation might be and, therefore, who to take up arms against in defense of liberty.

“… (I)f things continue the way the are are now, I fear that, if I were called upon to serve once again, I would have a hard time knowing in what direction to aim my rifle,” he concluded.

A veterans honor guard then fired three rifle volleys to honor veterans and a bugle rendition of “Taps” was played to conclude the commemoration.