Veterans Day observance honors Gold Star wives, Service members

By Adrienne Anderson, Belvoir EagleNovember 17, 2014

Veterans Day
"Looking back, I wish our Vietnam veterans had been welcomed home, honored and respected as much as our recent veterans have been. All I can do for those veterans is offer my sincere thanks on behalf of a very grateful nation and say welcome home," s... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Belvoir, Va. (Nov. 13, 2014) - Fort Belvoir honored military veterans, past and present, Friday during the post's Veterans Day observance at the Cold War Memorial on Long Parade Field.

"Today, we recognize men and women who have defended liberty, freedom and justice. We honor them by remembering them, their accomplishments and through our pledge to continue to build the world for which they sacrificed so much," said Col. Michelle Mitchell, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir, commander. "We also honor our veterans by cherishing with all our hearts, the freedoms they paid such a price to defend. If there was ever a question about the strength of our nation, it has been answered by the response of our veterans to extraordinary events."

Gold Star survivors were honored during the ceremony and given certificates that read, "On behalf of a grateful nation and the Department of Defense, we are proud to recognize and honor you, and your spouse's service and sacrifice, in the name of freedom and democracy during the Vietnam War. Our nation is forever indebted to you."

Gale Davis, a Gold Star wife, helped gather the other Gold Star wives for the event. Davis said she was honored to have her husband and Family remembered during the ceremony.

"(People) need to understand that these men and women put their lives on the line for us and our freedom and I think … they need to be honored every day," she said.

The guest speaker was Maj. Gen. Mark Quantock, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, military deputy.

"It's an absolute honor to speak on a topic that touches all of our hearts -- a celebration of our nation's veterans," he said during the ceremony. "To many, Vietnam seems like a part of our nation's distant past. But it isn't. It runs through the veins of our veterans and their Families."

There is nearly universal respect for Service members whether the war is popular or not, Quantock said.

"Looking back, I wish our Vietnam veterans had been welcomed home, honored and respected as much as our recent veterans have been. All I can do for those veterans is offer my sincere thanks on behalf of a very grateful nation and say 'welcome home.'"

Quantock said his father served two tours in Vietnam. During the second tour he was severely wounded and he was given last rites several times.

Quantock was 4 years old at the time.

His father did survive and was able to have a long military career, he said.

One thing he's noticed, Quantock said, is the improved care for the mental and physical health of wounded warriors. Years prior, it was tough for Families when there were no support groups. "So to the Families of Vietnam veterans, I offer personal thanks to you for all that you've put up -- all that we've put up with," he said.

Quantock said veterans have contributed a lot to the U.S., and despite what the media has said about Vietnam veterans, many have flourished.

According to the book, Stolen Valor, Vietnam veterans did not have as much trouble readjusting to life, he said.

"They actually had less drug and alcohol abuse, fewer were homeless and they were more law-abiding than their counterparts who had never served," Quantock said. "Vietnam veterans were also more financially successful on average and had longer lasting marriages."

He listed off well-known people who were Vietnam veterans, including (Arizona senator) John McCain and (retired general) Norman Schwarzkopf, (former secretary of state and retired general) Colin Powell and (former Nebraska senator and governor, Navy SEAL officer and Medal of Honor recipient) Bob Kerrey.

The Belvoir Garden Club donated a wreath that was laid at the Cold War Memorial while Taps was played. The final resting place for the wreath is at the Blue Star Memorial off U.S. Route 1, near Leiber gate. The memorial honors Service members.

Cynthia Thomas, president of the Belvoir Garden Club spoke about the history of Veterans Day. It began as Armistice Day in 1918. On Nov. 11, 1918 there was an armistice of truce declared between the allied nations and Germany, she said.

"Many times our men and women have been called on to defend our nation, so in 1954, it was changed to Veterans Day to honor all Service members from all the wars," she said.

While Memorial Day honors those Service members who have died, Veterans Day is a tribute to all veterans, living or dead, she said.

"To all of those who are protecting our nation today, we salute you," Thomas said. "We thank those who have given that full measure and to the Families who have also paid that price. It's not a cliché to say that freedom isn't free."

Quantock said he works with many veterans at NGA who are "doing everything they can for the National Security Agency to avoid war and keep America and our allies safe. There are many countless other veterans who continue to serve our country in a variety of ways as well. They hate war and work hard to prevent it with the passion of those who know all too well (what war is like), like I did. That motivation is a legacy to be very proud of. So thank you all for your service and your continued legacy. May God bless you and your Families and may God bless America."