Celebrating Freedom: Veterans Day Honors Military
(November 11, 2010) |
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| MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. (MCN - 11/9/2010) —
Sitting at home, in an old wooden rocking chair with a
grandchild on one knee, is a white-haired man who shows the
youth one of the few possessions of his younger years – a
purple heart.
Americans recognize veterans of all time periods on Nov. 11,
Veterans Day.
Cities all across the country choose to celebrate Veterans
Day in their own way. Locally, the San Diego 2010 Veterans
Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on the corner of Cedar
Street and Pacific Highway, near the San Diego Airport.
Charles Wells, a retired Navy petty officer first class,
feels Veterans Day is a great time for Americans to
recognize those who served in the military. Wells served as
a cook aboard the USS Lexington and the USS Yorktown from
1950 to 1971 during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Veterans are a very important part of our society. They've
fought in every war to ensure Americans have freedom. He is
very proud to be one of them on Veterans Day, explained
Wells.
Veterans Day is also important to military spouses. Deidre
Mooney, wife of retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Joel
Mooney, who served 25 years in the military, feels Veterans
Day is very supportive of those who served in the military.
“One of my girlfriends, whose husband is active duty, was at
a drive-through once and the person in front of her paid for
their entire meal – just because of the stickers on their
car,” she explained. “There are nice people out there who do
nice things for service members. We appreciate it. The
military was great to us and we're very supportive of
veterans.”
Active-duty service members, such as Cpl. Michael Oosterkamp,
a 3rd Marksmanship Training Unit instructor at the Carlos
Hathcock Range here, also feel strongly about Veterans Day.
“It's a day that gives recognition to those who have fallen
and those who are still serving,” said Oosterkamp, who
completed three deployments as an infantryman. “It also
allows civilians time to reflect on the job the military
does for them.”
Today, there is one known living American World War I
veteran, and approximately two million living American WWII
veterans, two million living American Korean War veterans,
seven million living American Vietnam veterans and two
million living American Gulf War veterans, according to the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
One of the most prominent events to occur on Veterans Day is
when the President lays a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns
at Arlington National Cemetery. The tomb contains the
remains of three anonymous service members from WWI, WWII
and the Korea War.
Thanks to the millions of men and women who served this
country, Americans continue to enjoy liberty, justice and
the right to pursue happiness. |
By USMC LCpl. Alexandra M. Harris
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Copyright 2010 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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