Veterans Day 2018 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.

 At the annual Veterans Day tribute at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the 25th anniversary of the first monument on the National Mall to honor female troops in the war, the Vietnam Women Memorial, was celebrated. The wreath above, "Never Again" from Vietnam Veterans Against the War, was one of several at the women's memorial.

The sculptor, Glenda Goodacre, wrote for the program that her ill health prevented her attendance today but "how proud I am to have been a part of your remarkable accomplishments....the Vietnam Women's Memorial has been my most gratifying commission....The response to my work is what a public art creator would hope for in her wildest dreams."/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Vietnam Women's Memorial, Washington, D.C. Veterans Day, 2018/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Vietnam Women's Memorial, sculpted by Glenda Goodacre, Washington, D.C. Veterans Day, 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Vietnam Women's Memorial, sculpted by Glenda Goodacre, Washington, D.C. Veterans Day, 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Looking up a name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C. Veterans Day, 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Looking up a name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C. Veterans Day, 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 At the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie.

Kera O'Bryon sang the "Star-Spangled Banner." The speakers included Diane Carlson Evans, the founder of the Vietnam Women's Memorial, and Patricia Trap, acting superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks who said the names of eight women were among the 58,318 listed on the Wall who died as a result of the war in Vietnam.

The Joint Forces Color Guard prepares to present the colors at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Joint Forces Color Guard prepares to present the colors at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Joint Forces Color Guard prepares to present the colors at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Joint Forces Color Guard prepares to present the colors at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C. Veterans Day, 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Jim Knotts, the Wall Memorial Foundation president and CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, speaks at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 A member of the Australia chapter of Vietnam Veterans at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 At the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.  2018, traveling in style/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A member of the Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Three Servicemen Statue by Frederick Hart near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C. Veterans Day, 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie

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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!

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At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Veterans Day 2014

 

A commemoration  at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014 to honor Sgt. James L. Wieler/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The people gather before the formal program begins at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014.  Some of  the scheduled speakers included Jake Tapper from CNN; Jerry Gast, Vietnam veteran; Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; Robert Vogel, superintendent of the National Mall and memorial parks; Diane Carlson Evans, Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation; and Chris Jackson, bagpiper/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014, volunteers in yellow hats and shirts answered questions and guided visitors/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014, a commemoration to honor Norman "Doc" Keller, killed in action June 4, 1968/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Handmade cards by children to honor the troops at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Some of the floral tributes at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014 this display says in part: "We are here to pay tribute to our failed brothers from our Company, A/2/12, 3rd Brigade, 4th and 25th Infantry Division, 1965-67.  During our tour time in Vietnam, while serving out of Dau Tieng, we had 45 young men killed in combat.  Our Battalion lost a total of 324 men in the jungles of War, Zone C.  Alpha Association/Photo by Patricia Leslie

From the Boy Scouts of America, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

It was the 30th anniversary of the Three Servicemen Statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Vietnam vets at the Three Servicemen Statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A close-up of the wooden sculpture from the photo above, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Old friends at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Story telling all day at the Vietnam Women's Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Before they arrived at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014, the chants from these Army troops could be heard from far away/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The marching, chanting Army at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 "Service Dogs for America's Heroes" were numerous at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Henick family is bound for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Nov. 11, 2014 to honor veterans, Mr. Henick said/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Three friends at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

In the park near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Nov. 11, 2014/Photo by Patricia Leslie

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