Honoring Our Veterans in the Nation’s Capital
By James F. Finn
It’s been way too long since I’ve last blogged. Mea maxima culpa! Life has been in the fast lane for me the last couple months.
Veteran’s Day in D.C. is an amazing experience! Arlington National Cemetery, World War II, Korea and Vietnam memorials attract tourists and veterans from all around the country and world.
The air was chilly, the sky blue and all the trees in Arlington were red, yellow and green. Normally, visitors can roam the grounds freely – Not when President Obama and most of the American political and military echelon are at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the national wreath-laying ceremony. All was lost, right? Not at all!
If you can’t join them, find another way to experience the Veteran’s Day celebration. I did. I found where the Army honor guard members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment had positioned three Howitzer cannons for the 21-gun salute. President Obama’s motorcade was also parked near the cannons and departed after he finished his speech to whisk him out.
At the ceremony’s conclusion the deafening blast of the cannons could be heard across the cemetery’s peaceful grounds for roughly four-and-a-half minutes. It was a spectacular and moving tribute to the nation’s fallen.
For history’s sake, here is a link to the origin of the 21-gun salute: http://www.history.army.mil/html/faq/salute.html
I continued to bask in the festivities that DC had to offer by walking a mile from Arlington all the way to the Vietnam Wall for the wreath-laying ceremony. Hundreds of Vietnam Veterans had gathered to remember their fallen comrades. Former General (USA Ret.) and Secretary of State, Colin Powell addressed the audience. General Powell spoke about the initial controversy behind the design and construction of the Vietnam Wall. He said:
“Some said it wasn’t a traditional monument; Vietnam wasn’t a traditional war.”
I had the pleasure of shaking hands with General Powell at the conclusion of the ceremony. He shook the hands of children, veterans and the American people he served during his long career in public service.
Veteran’s Day in D.C. provides excellent, moving and spectacular ways to experience esteemed speakers and history. The best thing is – it’s all for free!
Please take the time to view my film, “The Other 1%,” a documentary about veterans: https://vimeo.com/67036555