Hampton Gives Local Vets 'Fitting' Veterans Day Tribute

In the video above, American Legion Post 35 Cmdr. Ralph Fatello discusses the reasoning behind his decision to forego some of the usual solemn Veterans Day festivities to make Hampton's annual remembrance a true celebration of local veterans.

Fatello was the keynote — and only — speaker during a brisk downtown ceremony filled with plenty of laughs and praise.

In addition to the annual roll call of the various branches of the armed service, Fatello also took a lengthy amount time to personally mention numerous local veterans and talk about the ways they've impacted the community and legion. 

Each veteran mentioned received a sizable applause from the crowd, and this gesture lent a more personal atmosphere to Monday's Veterans Day remembrance.

It's been an "honor and privilege," according to Fatello, to serve and get to know the diverse group of veterans in the area, and Fatello said he decided to give those people the credit they deserve in addition to the usual Veterans Day thanks.

Local veterans and first responders were the big celebrities and featured guests outside the legion hall on Veterans Day, and that's just the way Fatello said it should be for a group of individuals that he said shouldn't be forgotten.

"I can still see the faces of some of the men and women who are no longer here," said Fatello, serving his final year as commander. "If I may quote to late Gen. MacArthur, 'old soldiers never die; they just fade away.' The truth is, it's the same here. Old legion members never die; they just simply fade away."