JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis hosted a Veterans Day event at the Williamsburg Landing Retirement Community to recognize veterans and families, Nov. 11, 2017.
The Soldiers spent the holiday interacting with the community’s residents, hearing about their past endeavors. The ceremony included the presentation of colors, a promotion ceremony for a new Soldier and remarks from guest speaker, retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jack Nicholson.
After a brief history of Veterans Day, Nicholson spoke about the “one percent” of Americans defending the nation, and his time serving America and its allies during his 30 years in the Army.
“It’s a privilege to honor those who wear the uniform and signed up to fight and give their life, if necessary, to our country,” said Nicholson. “Our service members are serving for the best country because we believe in sacrificing our lives to help not only keep our citizens free, but our allies safe as well.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 21 million veterans in the U.S. Nicholson said celebrating the courage of those who made the ultimate sacrifice should be on the minds of every American more than just one day out of the year.
Newly promoted Army Pvt. 1st Class Eugene Lee, Echo Company, 266th Quartermaster Battalion, 23rd Quartermaster Brigade, transportation student, said he felt privileged to be promoted by Nicholson on the holiday. Lee said Nicholson’s words impacted him and reminded him of why he joined.
“I was just a civilian until four months ago, and Veterans Day was just a holiday then,” said Lee. “Now being a part of the service, I feel it’s the most honorable and necessary day of the year to appreciate the service members who deserve to be appreciated for their sacrifice to this country.”