Veterans Day at the U.S. Navy Memorial, Washington, D.C.

Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Lone Sailor statue by Stanley Bleifeld at the U.S. Navy Memorial, Washington, D.C. with the wreath laid by Veterans Day guest speaker and Vietnam War Honor of Medal recipient Robert Kerrey, 72, who was a Navy SEAL (1966-69), governor of Nebraska (1983-1987), and U.S. senator (D-Nebraska) (1989-2001).

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

The U.S. Navy Band played before and after the ceremony on a beautiful day with temperatures in the mid-60s, chirping birds, and a respectful crowd of about 200 persons who listened quietly. Behind the band is the Naval Heritage Center.

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

Navy troops stand at the ready.  Across Pennsylvania Avenue is the National Archives building.

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

The colors are presented.

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

 The colors are presented.

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

Standing at far left (without a hat) is Sen. Bob Kerrey.

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

The colors advance.

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

Sen. Bob Kerrey spoke less than five minutes at the 15-minute ceremony. He praised Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927-2003) for boosting the Navy Memorial presence on Pennsylvania Avenue. The time the senators spent in the Navy were "the most important years of our lives," Sen. Kerrey said. Those who serve in the military "are obliged to remind those who have not, how important the Armed Forces are to our nation."

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

Sen. Kerrey at the Lone Sailor statue where he laid the wreath. Note the Navy flag dipped in deference to the American flag.

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

Sen. Bob Kerrey and a Navy officer return to their seats.

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

At the ceremony's conclusion, the troops marched away while the band played "This is My Country," and a lady danced solo in front of the podium.

Photo by Patricia Leslie 

When the music ceased, the people said "ohhhhhhh" for they wanted more, which was not to be.  

"What?" asked a man of his lady friend.  "Where's 'Anchors Aweigh'?" It just seemed natural that it should be part of a concert by the Navy band.  It was expected.

Said a bystander, "Well, maybe they played 'Anchors Aweigh' before it started," but someone else said, "They didn't."  

Well, maybe next year!

patricialesli@gmail.com

Veterans Day at the U.S. Navy Memorial

By the Queen of Free

Veterans Day occurs every November 11 to commemorate the ending of the World War I when an armistice on the eleventh day of the eleventh hour of the eleventh month stopped fighting between the Allies and Germany.


Today at the U.S. Navy Memorial at 7th and Pennsylvania about 350 gathered to see the laying of the wreath of red and white carnations at the Lone Sailor statue, and to hear a few words and a benediction by Navy personnel who came to honor those past and present.


On the splendid afternoon in glorious sunshine we listened to magnificent music played by the Navy band, marred only by construction sounds emanating from across the street at Archives. (Could not someone have ordered construction to halt 30 minutes in honor of our servicemen and women?)


About 30 chairs sat on Memorial Plaza to accommodate veterans and family members. The rest of us gathered in the circle around the memorial to witness and to hear.


What a delight and heart rendering to see at the ceremony's end a veteran of likely World War II vintage standing beside the sailor statue wearing a slight smile and his Navy cap bedecked in ribbons. Many captured him on film while he stood with a cane beside the wreath with a shiny blue ribbon labeled in gold: Veterans Day 2008. One could only imagine what histories the gentleman carries.


Three D.C. Boy Scouts proudly joined him to have their pictures made, and the youths with the older gentleman reminded us of the changing of the guard down the street.


With awe and silence we had come to watch and admire the dignified ceremony to commemorate those who give in the name of the United States. We are grateful.