Veterans Day ceremonies honor the nation’s current and former service members
Veterans Day ceremonies across the country honor the nation’s current and former service members. The holiday marks the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
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- PFC Richard Effler with the GROTC program at Carver Votech salutes as he walks into the War Memorial in Baltimore. He and hundreds of others were there to celebrate Veterans Day. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led a march of dignitaries, veterans, and military personnel down Charles Street from the Washington Monument (Charles & Centre Streets) to the ceremonial stage at the War Memorial Plaza. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Tyler Mink a park ranger at Fort McHenry wrapped in a 48 star WW1 flag. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led a march of dignitaries, veterans, and military personnel down Charles Street from the Washington Monument (Charles & Centre Streets) to the ceremonial stage at the War Memorial Plaza. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Cedric Harris (R) and Harry Ford (L) both veterans salute during the National Anthem. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led a march of dignitaries, veterans, and military personnel down Charles Street from the Washington Monument (Charles & Centre Streets) to the ceremonial stage at the War Memorial Plaza. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Mike Turpin of Waldorf attended the Veterans Parade.Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led a march of dignitaries, veterans, and military personnel down Charles Street from the Washington Monument (Charles & Centre Streets) to the ceremonial stage at the War Memorial Plaza. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Herbert Wilson, (from left) served in the Korean War, Emmitt Hawkes served in Vietnam and Randolph Jews who also served in Vietnam. All of the men are from Baltimore. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Baltimore City Firefighters take down the large American Flag used at the ceremony. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led a march of dignitaries, veterans, and military personnel down Charles Street from the Washington Monument (Charles & Centre Streets) to the ceremonial stage at the War Memorial Plaza. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- A wreath was placed in front of the War Memorial in honor of the veterans who fought for the United States. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led a march of dignitaries, veterans, and military personnel down Charles Street from the Washington Monument (Charles & Centre Streets) to the ceremonial stage at the War Memorial Plaza. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led a march of dignitaries, veterans, and military personnel down Charles Street from the Washington Monument (Charles & Centre Streets) to the ceremonial stage at the War Memorial Plaza. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Dennis King of Baltimore a member of the Maryland National Guard uses a flag to shield his eyes during the ceremony. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led a march of dignitaries, veterans, and military personnel down Charles Street from the Washington Monument (Charles & Centre Streets) to the ceremonial stage at the War Memorial Plaza. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)
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- Jeffrey Carodine and other students from the Chicago Military Academy participate in the Chicago Veterans Day parade on November 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Veterans Day, held the anniversary of the signing of the armistice which ended the World War I, is celebrated to honor all veterans for their service. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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- Students from the Chicago Military Academy participate in the Chicago Veterans Day parade on November 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Veterans Day, held the anniversary of the signing of the armistice which ended the World War I, is celebrated to honor all veterans for their service. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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- Students from the Chicago Military Academy participate in the Chicago Veterans Day parade on November 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Veterans Day, held the anniversary of the signing of the armistice which ended the World War I, is celebrated to honor all veterans for their service. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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- Anna Tollette, 10; Nate Tollette, 12; and Brian Jon Raichert, 12; and their grandfather Bill Brandt (3rd L) of Antigo, Wisconsin, listen to Vietnam War veteran Charles Smith tell the story of how he earned the Bronze Star during the battle of Phan Thiet at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial the day after Veterans Day, November 12, 2012 in Washington, DC. Smith of Laurel, Maryland, served in the U.S. Army for 31 years and was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart during this two tours of Vietnam. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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- Kevin Palmer of Goshen, Connecticut, holds Michele Mathews on his shoulders as she makes a rubbing of where Palmer’s uncle, Douglas Palmer’s name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial the day after Veterans Day, November 12, 2012 in Washington, DC. Douglas Palmer died in 1966 while serving in the Navy in Vietnam. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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- A photograph of a member of the U.S. military is reflected in the marble face of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the day after Veterans Day, November 12, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. The federal government observed Veterans Day by giving employees Monday off from work. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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- The day after Veterans Day, a sign directs visitor to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery November 12, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. The federal government observed Veterans Day by giving employees Monday off from work. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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- U.S. Army veteran James Clemenson of Vergas, Minnesota, and his wife Rosie make a rubbing from a name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial the day after Veterans Day, November 12, 2012 in Washington, DC. From 1970 to 1972, James Clemenson did two tours during the Vietnam War and was the last enlisted Vietnam veteran in the U.S. Air Force after serving for 41 years, 4 months and two days, he said. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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- The day after Veterans Day, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Luke Parrott touches the headstone of a fellow soldier and friend in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery November 12, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. A veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Parrott was injured in an IED blast in Baghdad in 2005. Parrott spent time sitting and talking to the graves of the soldiers he knew. “It’s as close as we can get to talking anymore,” he said. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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- A single rose lays on the headstone of a fallen serviceman on Veteran’s Day at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. (Lexey Swall/Getty Images)
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- Jim Finnegan (L), his wife Carolyn and their children, Colleen, 7, Erin, 9, and William, 2 months, sit before the grave of Finnegan’s best friend, Staff Sgt. William Vile who died in the war in Afghanistan in 2009, on Veteran’s Day at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. Fiinnegan named his son after his friend who he had known since he was 14 years old. (Lexey Swall/Getty Images)
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- A woman grieves for a soldier buried in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
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- Post 47 Commander Richard Ferguson and Unit 47 President Candice Bossoli carry a wreath to the memorial during the Veterans Day ceremony held in Tydings Park Monday morning. (Nicole Munchel/Aegis)
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- Members of the Marine Corps march up 5th Avenue during the Veterans Day Parade in New York November 11, 2012. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
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- A woman on roller skates holds an American Flag as she goes up 5th Avenue during the Veterans Day Parade in New York November 11, 2012. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
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- A veteran marches up 5th Avenue during the Veterans Day Parade in New York November 11, 2012. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
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- WWII veteran Clarence Schmitt of Crownsville, in foreground, salutes as bugler, (USA retired) Capt. Richard P. Barnes played taps during the wreath-laying portion of the Veterans Day ceremony held at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)
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- Douglas J. Cook, left, of Annapolis, and George H. Ruggles, both veterans of Korea and Vietnam, listen to the Veterans Day ceremony held at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)
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- Ladies Auxiliary representatives, from left, Janice Null (Military Order of the Purple Heart), Pat Schwarz (Disabled American Veteran) and Jeanne McDevitt (American Legion) performed the laying of the wreaths ceremony on Veterans Day at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)
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- Rylan Woffinden, 4, of Annapolis came with his family to the Veterans Day ceremony held at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)
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- Sarah Fleck of Greenboro, MD hugs Tom Binebrink of Annapolis, a veteran of WWII and Korea during the Veterans Day ceremony held at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. Fleck said that seeing WWII veterans reminded her of her father, John “Jack” Meyer, who had taught her to respect all men and women serving in the military. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)
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- Sergeant of the Guard retire the colors at the closing of the Veterans Day ceremony held at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)
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- Carol Romeo holds up a photo of her father, Jack Romeo, a World War II veteran during the Veterans Day Parade in New York November 11, 2012. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
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- A man holds up American flags during the Veterans Day Parade in New York November 11, 2012. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
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- A woman holds up a “Thank You” sign during the Veterans Day Parade in New York November 11, 2012. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
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- Veterans sit and talk at the start of the Veterans Day Parade in New York November 11, 2012. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
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- Members of the Army march up 5th Avenue during the Veterans Day Parade in New York November 11, 2012. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
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- A new American Flag is secured and raised by Post 60 members during the ceremony Sunday morning. The Laurel American Legion Post 60 held a flag raising ceremony at Ivy Hill Cemetery. (Nate Pesce/Baltimore Sun Media Group)
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- From Right, Legion Post 60 members Vicki Kunde, Kirk Birdsong, holding a flag, and Rickey Witcher, stand during the Veterans Day memorial ceremony. (Nate Pesce/Baltimore Sun Media Group)
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- Legion Post 60 member Marvin Rogers, of Laurel, holds the center of a flag that is being folded and retired. (Nate Pesce/Baltimore Sun Media Group)
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- American Legion Post 60 member Rickey Witcher, of Laurel, holds a non-firing replica rifle after the ceremony, watching other members adjust the height of the American Flag. (Nate Pesce/Baltimore Sun Media Group)
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- David Floyd, 83, left, of Lilburn, Georgia, and Charles Jones, 73 of Auburn, Georgia, listen to the keynote address during Gwinnett County’s Veterans Day ceremony at Fallen Heroes Memorial in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Sunday November 11, 2012. (Kent D. Johnson/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)
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- Capt. Jeff Cliffe, with the U.S. Marine Corps, sits next to the grave of his grandfather and grandmother on Veteran’s Day at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. Numerous events are under across the country to honor the nation’s current and former service members. (Lexey Swall/Getty Images)
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- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, greet family members of fallen service men and women on Veteran’s Day at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. (Lexey Swall/Getty Images)
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- U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady, Michelle, walk through Arlington National Cemetery after greeting family members of fallen service men and women on Veteran’s Day November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. (Lexey Swall/Getty Images)
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- Linda and Gene Lamie, of Georgia, stand before the grave of their son, Sgt. Gene L. Lamie, on Veteran’s Day at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. Sgt. Lamie was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 at the age of 25. (Lexey Swall/Getty Images)
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- Maria Rodriquez visits the grave of her son Ronald Rodriguez on Veteran’s Day at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. (Lexey Swall/Getty Images)
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- A World War II veteran takes part in the Veteran’s Day Parade on November 11, 2012 in New York City. Former Mayor Ed Koch is the grand marshal for the parade, which expects to draw thousands of spectators and is the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
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- Mourners console each other on Veteran’s Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. Section 60 is the final resting place for the majority of casualties Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (Michael Reynolds/Getty Images)
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- Spectators watch the Veteran’s Day Parade on November 11, 2012 in New York City. Former Mayor Ed Koch is the grand marshal for the parade, which expects to draw thousands of spectators and is the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
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- U.S. President Barack Obama speaks after a wreath-laying ceremony on Veteran’s Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. (Michael Reynolds/Getty Images)
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- U.S. President Barack Obama and Major General Michael S. Linnington, Commander of the US Army Military District of Washington participate in a wreath-laying ceremony on Veteran’s Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. (Michael Reynolds/Getty Images)
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- U.S. President Barack Obama (C) greets an unidentified woman on Veteran’s Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. Section 60 is the final resting place for the majority of casualties Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (Michael Reynolds/Getty Images)
Young veterans easing back into life after war
By Matthew Hay Brown, The Baltimore Sun
5:14 p.m. EST, November 10, 2012
Joseph Bathgate calls them “the Hollywood questions.”
When college classmates learn he was a machine gunner for the Marine Corps for two tours in Iraq, they want to know: Did anyone ever shoot at you? Ever get hit?
And there’s the big one.
You ever kill anyone?
“It’s unusual, I understand that, what I’ve done,” says Bathgate, 24, of Dundalk, now out of the military and studying kinesiology at Towson University. “Still, it’s annoying. … Naturally, I feel different” from the other, mostly younger students on campus.
It’s a feeling shared by many. More than a decade of war has minted a new generation of veterans: Two and a half million Americans have served in Iraq or Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001.
The challenges now confronting some of them are well-documented: limbs lost, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury; an unemployment rate greater than the national average; an alarming incidence of suicide.
But others describe a more subtle challenge: the difficulty of returning to civilian life in a society that generally appreciates their service — but doesn’t always understand it.
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Kate Neale
Nov 13, 2012 @ 12:17:04
We don’t always appreciate the things that others do for us – I always feel grateful to even the person cleaning the streets – they help to make life a better place even if we don’t notice it.