Veterans Day in Washington DC
“Vincent John Anastasio, Craig Alan Arndt, William Edward Bader,” a man reads thousands of names as one walks through the Vietnam War Memorial during Veteran’s Day Week
end. The memorial has 67 walls full of names of soldiers who lost their lives during the Vietnam War, people at the memorial hear the names of these soldiers over a loud speaker, and they see keepsakes stacked by soldiers and families for their loved ones who lost their lives during battle.
Being in Washington DC over Veteran’s Day should be an event on everyone’s bucket list because one gets to meet US soldiers firsthand and see many ceremonies one would not see on a regular day.
“It was really cool to be in Washington DC over Veteran’s Day,” senior Paige Marshall said, “It’s something I’ll never forget. I got to thank hundreds of soldiers first hand for their service.”
Sargent Juan Cordero, retired soldier of the Vietnam War, moved to the United States from the Philippines in 1965. In 1966, he was drafted to fight for his new home, America.
“I wasn’t scared, I took this responsibility as an honor,” Cordero said, “I took comfort in knowing I was fighting for the strongest army in the world, and for the best country.”
During Veteran’s Day weekend, one can also visit Arlington Cemetery, the burial marking for all of the United States Soldiers who have died in or out of battle, and hear someone of very high status speak about freedom and thank our veterans. This year, President Barack Obama, his family, and Vice President Joe Biden attended and spoke at this ceremony.
“Just knowing that Obama would speak at Arlington was really exciting,” Marshall said, “But being there was top notch.”
After this ceremony was over, the President went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and put a wreath on it to represent honor for the three soldiers who lost their lives fighting for US freedom, and their bodies were so destroyed that their remains could not be identified. This tomb is monitored by United States soldiers, 24 hours a day, Veterans Day being no exception.
“I have never had the honor of guarding The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but I know that job is hard. In winter, the men switch off guarding every half an hour but in the summer, they switch out every hour,” Cordero said, “When training to be a soldier, we are taught that the three men who are unidentified are who we should look up to and strive to be like. These men have shaped our training and all of our lives.”
The Korean War memorial is different than the Vietnam War Memorial. The Korean War Memorial stands tall with handcrafted artwork of soldiers on granite. Next to this wall stand life size crafted soldiers who are positioned in a war scene. When one walks through both sides of this memorial, they will see a big granite wall that says, “Freedom Isn’t Free.”
“’When I hear the phrase ‘Freedom Isn’t Free,’ I automatically think of my brothers, or partner soldiers, who put their lives on the line to better our country. I think of their families and friends who have been left alone for so long,” Cordero said, “I think of my best friend who lost his life in Vietnam and left his wife and kids alone, and I think of bettering out countries and other countries.”
Because these Veterans felt like they had to fight for our freedom to make America into the country that it is today, they become very passionate about Veteran’s Day. As one walks through the memorials, they will see countless pictures of soldiers and keepsakes people have left for them.
“For Veteran’s Day, people should pray for veterans and current soldiers,” Cordero said, “Pray for them to come home to their families. They deserve it.”
by Mary-Kate Mudd