Veterans Day 2008 was a special day. I took my kids to the wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. The weather was cool and crisp and when we crossed the threshold of Memorial Drive, a somber, respectful feeling came over us as the site of thousands of white marble headstones came into view.
Because of the of the crowds, the number of people were limited at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the wreath laying ceremony. We tried to get to the rail so my kids could see, but the line was just too deep. We moved over to the amphitheater and found a seat. We were greeted by volunteers handing out programs and small flags to commemorate the day.
The Mistress of Ceremonies was Bo Derek. She introduced the speakers, including Vice President Cheney. The Navy Band played several music selections including God Bless America. The program included the procession of the colors and a prayer for the Veterans.
The audience included members of Congress, members of the Senate, Cabinet members, Former and Active Military, moms, dads, wives, husbands, and children. The event was free to the public and all were welcome.
The ceremony inside the amphitheater lasted about an hour. At the conclusion, we walked over to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to witness the laying of several Veterans Group's wreaths.
The grounds at Arlington National Cemetery are vast and includes the internment of President John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis, and his brother Robert Kennedy.
Arlington National Cemetery Facts
Arlington Mansion and 200 acres of ground immediately surrounding it were designated officially as a military cemetery June 15, 1864, by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.
More than 300,000 people are buried at Arlington Cemetery.
Veterans from all the nation's wars are buried in the cemetery, from the American Revolution through the Iraq and Afghanistan. Pre-Civil War dead were reinterred after 1900.
How Did Veterans Day Come About?
November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became Veterans Day, a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Craig, this was really a very interesting post. Thank you for honoring our Veterans! I am going to re-blog your post!
Hey thanks Lisa, it was a very special day. Thanks for the reblog and sharing it with your sphere.
Craig, I read that even disabled and elderly events were denied access to the ceremeonies, in favor of celebrities and government big-whigs. Unfortunate, but it sounds like you and your son shared a memorable experience. My husband goes there for the holiday wreathe laying that will take place this year on December 13. This year, he's taking our oldest grandson, age 15.