MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the nation pauses to honor America's veterans from all wars for their service and sacrifice. For one Army 4-star general, this year's celebration was even more special.
Thirty-four years after commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army, Gen. Dennis L. Via, commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, returned to his hometown of Martinsville, Virginia, to commemorate the holiday for the first time with local veterans.
Via served as the keynote speaker at the Henry County Veterans Day Program, Nov. 11, hosted by the American Legion at Patrick Henry Community College.
"To come here and represent Martinsville, Henry County, Army Materiel Command and our nation as a 4-star general, it is truly humbling for me and I am so very honored to be here today," Via said.
The program paid special tribute to Korean War veterans, including the more than 44,000 who live in Virginia. More than a dozen local Korean War vets attended the event.
"We honor you, and we also remember those who fell in battle and didn't return home, including the 18 whose names are inscribed on the war memorial in front of the old courthouse on Main Street in Martinsville," Via said. "Today we honor their sacrifice, and renew our pledge to never forget."
Noting that much of the American population doesn't understand the events that led to the Korean War, Via explained the history of the communist attempt at an uprising to stamp out freedom around the world. He quoted former President Harry Truman's address to the nation, "We are trying to prevent a third World War."
"The stakes could not have been higher," Via said. "The future of the world was on the line, and its direction was being decided by brave young men and women, some just 18, 19, and 20 years old…After three years of hellish fighting, our troops stopped the communists from advancing, pushed them back across the 38th Parallel, and have held them there ever since."
Victory didn't translate to home-front ticker-tape parades and celebrations, however, for the Korean War veterans, Via noted. Instead, the war is known by many as "The Forgotten War."He quoted one veteran who said, "We just came home and took off our uniforms and went to work."
However, millions of Americans and especially the U.S. Army will never forget the sacrifices made in Korea, Via said. Nearly 20 million have visited the "somber" Korean War Veterans Memorial in the nation's capital since 2008, including more than 3.2 million last year alone.
Via shared the story of Korean War veteran Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama last year as an example of the countless acts of valor in Korea. Kapaun showed remarkable courage, strength, bravery and resilience in battle, and later as a prisoner of war.
Via also recognized the millions of Americans who have served and continue to serve in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"They served honorably. They fought bravely. They sacrificed. And some even paid the ultimate sacrifice," Via said. "With each returning Veteran, and for each fallen hero, the bells of freedom continue to ring."
Via encouraged his hometown to continue solemn observances like Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and to continue to teach the next generation about patriotism. He also recognized Veterans Service Organizations, such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"We can honor their service and sacrifice…by keeping veterans organizations like the ones here today vibrant and effective. Your support to these organizations means more than you will ever know," Via said.
With a final thank you to all veterans in the room, Via concluded, "The United States today would not be the United States we enjoy without the service and sacrifice of the men and women who volunteer to go into harm's way to defend the freedoms we hold dear."
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