Honoring our Veterans, 2012

New York Times/Corey Kilgannon, 11/11/12, "Veterans old and young gather to march, and to contemplate."

Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11,  2012

"There were Persian Gulf veterans and others from the Vietnam War era. Many of the older men from Korea and World War II showed their service with faded windbreakers from American Legion halls and AmVets posts. Even World War I doughboys were represented by a small unit of enthusiasts in authentic green wool uniforms.

Then there were the younger veterans, back not that long ago from Iraq and Afghanistan and wearing the latest Army camouflage. Many spoke about the pending withdrawal of the troops from Iraq, which then brought up a fact of military life: the complicated return to civilian life."  Read article.  Note:  The article briefly includes comments of one soldier's readjustment to civilian life. Embedded in the article is a 1.14 minute video, the New York Manhattan parade slide show, and link. The Veterans Day Parade has been a tradition in Manhattan since 1929.

Veterans Day reference - U.S. Army Center of Military History, Chronological history of Veterans Day.  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, History of Veterans Day.  U.S. Department of Defense,  Special Report, Veterans Day, 2012.

Related articles -  Huffington Post/Politics/Associated Press, 11/10/12.  Veterans Day 2012 commemorations under way across the U.S."  "Saturday marks the first of what will be three days of Veterans Day commemorations across the U.S. The holiday falls on a Sunday, and the federal observance is on Monday. It's the first such day honoring the men and women who served in uniform since the last U.S. troops left Iraq in December 2011."  CBS News, 11/11/12, "Obama honors veterans, promises benefits," includes 3.27 minute embedded video of Arlington National Cemetery ceremony and abbreviated speech. The longer version of the President's speech was comprehensive, but that version does not seem to be on internet at this time.   

LOCAL update -  San Francisco Chronicle/Justin Berton, 11/11/12. "Crowds line up as San Francisco veteran's parade." "The 93rd Veteran's Day Parade passed through downtown San Francisco under blue skies, a lengthy procession of soldiers from at least six wars, politicians in convertible cars, high school drill teams and marching bands.  Though it's been years, possibly decades, since organizers recall well-wishers lining the streets with the enthusiasm befitting a Giants World Series Championship parade, the low-key affair still managed to attract supporters who wanted to honor those who served."

 

Posted by Kathy Meeh