Memorial Day: President Obama vows better care for veterans as New Yorkers honor the fallen with parades, barbecues

Hours after returning from a surprise visit to Afghanistan, President Obama commemorated Memorial Day by honoring the nation’s troops — and promising to do better by them at home. “We’re in a pivotal moment. Our troops are coming home. By the end of this year, our war in Afghanistan will finally come to an end,” the president said after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. “And yesterday at Bagram (Air Force Base), and here today at Arlington, we pay tribute to the nearly 2,200 American patriots who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. We will honor them,

always.”

Speaking to service members and their families, Obama made reference to the scandalous reports of waitlists and poor services at hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“As we’ve been reminded in recent days, we must do more to keep faith with our veterans and their families, and ensure they get the care and benefits and opportunities that they’ve earned and that they deserve,” Obama said.

“These Americans have done their duty,” he said. “They ask nothing more than that our country does ours — now and for decades to come.”

In New York, Mayor de Blasio, whose father served in World War II, honored veterans in ceremonies at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial in Riverside Park and at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.He also marched in the Little Neck-Douglaston Parade in Queens.

“Every one of us has been touched by wars all over the world, having men and women in our families who went and fought on our behalf,” de Blasio said.

“My dad was wounded on Okinawa, came back and struggled like so many veterans do. So today is a day where we honor everyone who served. We honor everyone who’s serving now and defending us now. And we especially remember those who didn’t come back. This is a day when we have to hold them in our minds and our hearts. Never let the memories go.

Gov. Cuomo also walked the Queens parade route, waving to the throngs who came out to show their love for the troops on a perfect spring day.

“It’s a beautiful day, a day for families, a day for barbecues, a day for enjoying the great weather, but it’s also a day to remember. And it’s a day to remember that freedom is not free and many people paid a very high price indeed,” Cuomo said.

Rocco Moretto, 89, of Astoria, was one of the grand marshals of the parade The World War II vet, who fought at D-Day, was one of only two men in a unit of 219 to make it through the war without being wounded or killed.

“I think about the buddies I lost, and it’s a solemn day, really. So many young friends you lost. There hasn't been a day in my life I haven’t thought about it,” he said.

Another World War II vet, Barnet Schulman, 89, of Bayside, said he always looks forward to the parade.“It’s important to me, and it’s my day out. I’m married 65 years, and this is one day I can do what I want!” he said.

While many turned out for the parades — Cuomo’s Republican rival Rob Astorino and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, wearing an American flag scarf, both marched in Chappaqua — some took advantage of the beautiful weather just to have fun.

In Coney Island, revelers were sunbathing, playing volleyball, building sandcastles and dancing.

“Obviously, it’s a holiday to remember the veterans, but it’s also a time to hang out with family and friends,” said Kristina Luna, 34, who’d biked with her husband all the way from the Bronx.

Alcindor Jenkins, 26, doffed his shirt on the boardwalk.

“I love showing off my physique because God blessed me with this beautiful body. Sometimes the tourists come up to me to take pictures. Hundreds of people walk through here, so this is the perfect place to show off my body,” he said. “It’s all positive.”

With Jennifer Fermino