Legionnaires honor veterans in nation's capital

Legionnaires were among the ranks of distinguished guests participating in Veterans Day ceremonies and observances across the nation’s capital on Wednesday.

President Barack Obama kicked off Veterans Day observances at Arlington National Cemetery by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. American Legion National Vice Commander David Gough was on hand to observe the ceremony, as well as Department of Virginia Commander James Chapman, and National Executive Committeeman Thomas Saunders and 17th District Commander John Price also placed a wreath at the tomb.

After laying a wreath, the president talked about the blood, sweat and sacrifices of veterans from earlier conflicts. Obama also touched on the importance of not leaving behind the “new wave” of veterans returning home from conflicts and those transitioning from military to civilian life.

“Our tributes will ring hollow if we stop there,” he said. “If tomorrow after the parades and the ceremonies we roll up the banners and sweep the veterans halls and go back to our daily lives – forgetting the bond between the service of our veterans and our obligations as citizens – then we will be doing a profound disservice to our veterans and the very cause for which they served.”

Obama added that Veterans Day is about more that just expressing gratitude for what past and current servicemembers went through. He said it should be a constant reminder of their resiliency and the contributions to the nation they still have to offer.

Touching on improvements made to the Department of Veterans Affairs backlog, a shrinking population of homeless veterans and a drop in veteran unemployment rates, Obama noted that there is still a ways to go before veterans get the care and benefits they earned. Obama also made it clear that getting veterans jobs is still a top priority.

“They still have so much more to give,” he said. “They’re ready to serve, and they’ll make you proud.”

Following the ceremony, Gough and Joe Grassi, director of the Legion's National Security Division, placed a wreath at the Vietnam Wall.

Gough, a Vietnam-era veteran, reflected on his service and his fallen comrades and brother who also served in Vietnam.

“There is always a lot of emotion when I see the Wall,” he said. Gough knows where all nine of his fallen comrades names are engraved into the monument.

While is it important to pass the torch to veterans of more recent conflicts, Gough noted how vital it is to continue to honor the selflessness and service of the men and women who at one point or another raised their right hands and donned a uniform.

“We must continue the tradition of honoring our vets,” he said.