Photo By Chin-U Pak | Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division salute during the national anthems of both the...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea – Leaders from the 2nd Infantry Division hosted a Veterans Day ceremony at the Village Green on Camp Red Cloud, South Korea, Nov. 7, to honor veterans from the U.S. and Republic of Korea who have served their country honorably during peacetime and war.
To honor this day, Soldiers currently serving and those retired attended the event to celebrate the contributions of veterans to each of their respective nations.
The event began with the U.S. and ROK national anthems, followed by speeches of retired Col. (R) William M. Alexander, director, 2nd Infantry Division Museum, and Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Vandal, commanding general, 2nd Infantry Division, who spoke about the meaning of Veterans Day and encouraged everyone to take pride in being a part of it.
“Veterans Day is a day when Americans recognize those who have served honorably in the uniform,” said Vandal. “Each of you is a role model for our nations and represents a select few that has stood up for your nation. Ceremonies like this allow veterans of the past to remain connected to Soldiers of today.”
The 2nd Infantry Division is the last remaining forward deployed division in the Army. For more than 60 years, U.S. and ROK Soldiers have stood side-by-side in the defense of the Korean Peninsula against North Korean aggression. Ceremonies like these, not only bond 2nd Infantry Division Soldiers past and present, but celebrate all those who have served in the uniform.
Although many know Nov. 11 as Veterans Day, Alexander spoke about the history of the day and how it came to be.
“An Act approved on May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day,” said Alexander. “Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II which had required the greatest mobilization of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in the nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word armistice and inserting in its place the word veterans. With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.”
For active duty and veterans alike, Veterans Day is a day they can reflect on their service and continue to support the nation and the mission.
“I’m proud to be a part of this division,” added Vandal. “Thank you once again for your continued support and sacrifice for your nation in this great alliance. May God bless all veterans of the United States of America and Korea. Thank you. Second to none!”
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2014 00:58 |
| Story ID: | 149145 |
| Location: | CAMP RED CLOUD, KR |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 2ID celebrates Veterans Day, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT