NEWPORT NEWS, Va. –
Members of the Braxton-Perkins Post 25 American Legion hosted a Veterans Day ceremony at the Victory Arch here, Nov. 11.
The Victory Arch was originally built in 1919 for returning WWI Service members who disembarked from ships and marched through the arch in victory parades. Today, the arch serves as a memorial with an eternal flame continually burning in honor of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.
During the ceremony, the U.S. Air Force JROTC unit from Menchville High School presented and posted the colors, and displayed wreathes in honor of each branch of service.
The Braxton-Perkins Post 25 Brass Ensemble performed throughout the ceremony playing the Armed Forces Tribute, during which they encouraged ceremony attendees to stand as their respective service song played..
Following a brief history of Veterans Day, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Ross Ridge, Initial Military Training Center of Excellence deputy commanding general, was then introduced as the keynote speaker.
"Today we remember and honor our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, ordinary men and women who have faithfully served this country as members of the Armed Forces," said Ridge. "We are also here to remember those who died, and celebrate their courage, their call of duty and their commitment to serve this great nation."
As JROTC cadets laid wreaths, Rick Thomasson, Post 25 legionnaire, played Taps as the crowd stood at attention, or with their hands over their hearts, remembering those who served.
After the closing remarks and the playing of God Bless America, the ceremony concluded as the cadets retired the colors.
"There are over 19 million veterans; they are our co-workers, friends, neighbors and family members; they all answered the call to serve," said Ridge. "Our veterans are ordinary men and women, who rose to impossible odds and did extraordinary things."