Veterans and civilians, young and old, gathered at ceremonies across Washington Sunday to commemorate Veterans Day and the sacrifices made by members of the nation’s armed forces.
“Without [the troops], we wouldn’t be here, or we wouldn’t be living the way we are,” said Doug Lansberry from Gainesville, who has not served in the military. He rode in with about 23 other members of the Manassas chapter of the Harley Owners Group to visit the U.S. Navy Memorial. They visit a different memorial each year on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
Bob Bowden attended a wreath laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial with his father-in-law Charles Wagner, a flight officer in the Army Air Force during the Second World War.
A veteran of Vietnam and Desert Storm who served in the Air Force and the Army, Bowden said the respect veterans now receive made him feel he can “go home feeling proud.”
Other veterans agreed that they finally feel appreciated.
The parade on Saturday, for many, was “our welcome home event,” said Patrick Dunne, who was with the Air Force Security Police in Vietnam in 1968.
About half of those now visiting the Vietnam Memorial are younger than the 25-year-old memorial itself, according to speakers at a seminar held at the wall.
“There’s magic in this wall,” said keynote speaker Gen. Colin Powell. “How did this wall expand beyond Vietnam and come to encompass the service and sacrifice of all generations?”
“It’s a wonderful pouring out of love,” said Bill Revell of Texas, who was also with the Air Force Security Police and fought in Vietnam and Korea. Revell’s grandson is currently stationed in Iraq.
Michael Guiles, a veteran of Somalia and the first Gulf War, now leads a troop of 43 Young Marines from Temecula, Calif. He took his unit — who range in age from 8 to 18 — to the U.S. Navy Memorial.
“It’s always important to understand our country’s past,” said Guiles. “The more they honor those [older veterans], the more they become legends.”
“It’s a sacred event for me,” said Vietnam veteran David Forman of Florida of visiting the Vietnam memorial. “I’m here for the people on the wall.”
