Col. Craig Martin, Fort Hamilton Garrison Commander recognizes the guest speakers during Veterans Day ceremony held outside the Community Club on Fort Hamilton, N.Y., Nov. 10, 2021. The ceremony celebrated the legacy and accomplishments of those who answered the call to service.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Robert C. Ballard, Jr., Navy Talent Acquisitions Group Empire State executive officer, shares his story as one of the guest speakers during the Veterans Day ceremony held outside the Community Club on Fort Hamilton, N.Y., Nov 10, 2021. This year’s emphasis was on the 20th anniversary of the Global War on Terrorism. Members from each branch of the military reflected on their personal service and their military branch’s role supporting GWOT operations.

Col. Craig Martin, Fort Hamilton Garrison Commander, provides opening remarks during the Veterans Day ceremony held outside the Community Club on Fort Hamilton, N.Y., Nov. 10, 2021. The ceremony celebrated the legacy and accomplishments of those who answered the call to service.

U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief Robert Riemer, U.S. Coast Sector New York commander master chief, shares his story as one of the guest speakers during the Veterans Day ceremony held outside the Community Club on Fort Hamilton, N.Y., Nov 10, 2021. This year’s emphasis was on the 20th anniversary of the Global War on Terrorism. Members from each branch of the military reflected on their personal service and their military branch’s role supporting GWOT operations.

Fort Hamilton’s Veterans Day ceremony celebrated the legacy and accomplishments of those who answered the call to service outside the Community Club on Fort Hamilton, N.Y., Nov. 10, 2021.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kevin Molligan, 24th Civil Support Team operations officer, shares his story as one of the guest speakers during the Veterans Day ceremony held outside the Community Club on Fort Hamilton, N.Y., Nov 10, 2021. This year’s emphasis was on the 20th anniversary of the Global War on Terrorism. Members from each branch of the military reflected on their personal service and their military branch’s role supporting GWOT operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Bruce Miller, 6th Communication Battalion operations chief, shares his story as one of the guest speakers during the Veterans Day ceremony held outside the Community Club on Fort Hamilton, N.Y., Nov 10, 2021. This year’s emphasis was on the 20th anniversary of the Global War on Terrorism. Members from each branch of the military reflected on their personal service and their military branch’s role supporting GWOT operations.

U.S. Army Maj. Roger Hafford, New York City Recruiting Battalion executive officer, shares his story as one of the guest speakers during the Veterans Day ceremony held outside the Community Club on Fort Hamilton, N.Y., Nov 10, 2021. This year’s emphasis was on the 20th anniversary of the Global War on Terrorism. Members from each branch of the military reflected on their personal service and their military branch’s role supporting GWOT operations.

FORT HAMILTON, N.Y. – Fort Hamilton honored the sacrifices of veterans past and present during its Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 10 outside the Community Club. Service members, veterans, civilians, and community partners gathered to thank and recognize all who have served the nation with honor and distinction.

For nearly a century, we have celebrated Veterans Day on the anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting along the Western Front in World War I on November 11, 1918. In 1938, Congress made Armistice Day an official, annual national holiday, and in 1954, its name changed to Veterans Day.

Col. Craig Martin, Fort Hamilton Garrison Commander, started the ceremony with his remarks.

“Today we recognize our military veterans, and those are all those individuals who said, ‘I will serve,’” said Martin. “At Fort Hamilton we like to call ourselves ‘The Face of America’s Army’ of NYC. What is the face of America’s Army? It is not about equipment, parades, or picnics. It is about people; it is about individuals from every walk of life, across our nation, who are ready to serve. That is something unique and something special.”

This year’s emphasis was on the 20th anniversary of the Global War on Terrorism. Members from each branch of the military reflected on their personal service and their military branch’s role supporting GWOT operations. Guest speakers were: U.S. Army Maj. Roger Hafford, New York City Recruiting Battalion executive officer; U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Bruce Miller, 6th Communication Battalion operations chief; U.S. Navy Cmdr. Robert C. Ballard, Jr., Navy Talent Acquisitions Group Empire State executive officer; U.S. Air Force Capt. Kevin Molligan, 24th Civil Support Team operations officer; and U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief Robert Riemer, U.S. Coast Sector New York commander master chief.

Following the speeches, Col. Martin and Charles T. Walker, deputy to the garrison commander, recognized the guest speakers with a certificate of appreciation. The ceremony concluded with the service songs medley