Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center honors veterans at Presidio of Monterey ceremony

By Brian Lamar (Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center)November 17, 2009

Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center honors veterans at Presidio of Monterey ceremony
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center honors veterans at Presidio of Monterey ceremony
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. - Some 200 staff and faculty from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center gathered to witness a wreath-laying ceremony near the Berlin Wall Memorial on the Presidio of Monterey Nov. 10.

Just one day after the world-wide 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, DLIFLC reflected on the sacrifices American veterans have made in past conflicts as well as forgotten wars, like the Cold War.

The guest speaker for the event, DLIFLC Commandant Col. Sue Ann Sandusky, spoke about the service previous veterans have provided to make--and keep--America a free country.

Sandusky ackowledged the privelege afforded her to mark Veterans Day and represent Service Members past and present.

The focus of the event was geared toward remembering the continuous sacrifices previous generations of service members have made throughout the nation's history and also the continuous hardships that troops continue to face during an era of persistent global conflict.

"I have the honor to report to you, fellow citizens and veterans here today, that the young Soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and Coast Guardsmen we have studying at DLI now and serving in our armed forces are worthy successors of the generations that went before them," Sandusky said.

An important part of the speeches and reflections at DLI's ceremony--and across the country on Veterans Day--was one of thankfulness and gratitude for what the nation's Service Members continue to do for the country.

"Caring for our veterans is more than a way of thanking them for their service. It is an obligation to our fellow citizens who have risked their lives to defend our freedom," President Barack Obama said in his national Veterans Day proclamation. "This selflessness binds our fates with theirs, and recognizing those who were willing to give their last full measure of devotion for us is a debt of honor for every American."

Related Links:

Presidio of Monterey

Veterans Day photos on Presidio Of Monterey Flickr Site