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November 12, 2011 - Veterans Day Rememberance in Washington, D.C.
What: Veterans Day Ceremonies in Washington D.C. The World War II Memorial Pays Special Tribute to African American Veterans of WWII and the National Veterans Day Observance and Wreath Ceremony at the Arlington Cemetery. The Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service commemorated Veterans Day at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and honor our nation's World War II veterans with a wreath laying ceremony on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 9:00 AM.The Veterans Day National Ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, November 11 at 10:30 am. The ceremony commenced with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans' organizations and remarks from dignitaries. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Where: The National World War II Memorial and Arlington Cemetery
When: November 11, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ticket Prices: Free to general public
Mistress of Ceremonies: Ms. Cynne Simpson ABC7/WJLA-TV (WWII Memorial
Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Jim Benson (Arlington Cemetery)
Honoree(s): Presentation of the Wreaths on Freedom Wall at the National World War II Memorial: United States of America, National Park Service, Friends of the National World War II Memorial, 555th parachute Infantry Battalion, 92nd Infantry Division, Tuskegee Airmen, Montford Point Marines, The Prometheans, Red Ball Express, Central Illinois Honor Flight, Battle of the Bulge Association, and Paralyzed Veterans of America, Presentation of the Wreaths at Arlington Cemetery by the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW)
Honorary Chairperson(s): LTG Claude "Mick" Kicklighter, USA Retired, Friends of the national World War II Memorial (WWI), The Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States (Arlington Cemetery)
Introductions: Superintendent Robert Vogel, National Mall and Memorial Parks, National Park Service (WWI)
Invocation: Chaplain Barry C. Black (WWI)
Welcome: Mr. Russell Vowinkel, Commander-inCheif Military Order of the World Wars (Arlington Cemetery)
Speaker: Keynote Speaker LTG Julius W. Becton Jr., United States Army Retired (WWI, The Honrable ERic K. Shinseki, Secretary Of Vetrans Affairs (Arlington Cemetery)
Music: United States Marine Band (WWI) The United States Army Band (Arlington Cemetery)
Attendance: 1,000 + people attended
Special Thanks: Friends of the National World War II Memorial and National Park Service (WWII), The Military Order of the World Wars- MOWW (Arlington Cemetery)
Blacktie Photos by: Jen Cubas
LTG Julius W. Becton, Jr., United States Army Retired, escorts a widow and the United States of America Wreath to Freedom Wall.
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Thousands of people from all over the world braved the strong winds and overflow of crowds and lines to attend the Veterans Day Ceremonies that took place in Washington, D.C. at the National World War II Memorial and Arlington Cemetery.
Lieutenant General Julius W. Becton, Jr., USA(Ret) gave the keynote address at the annual Veterans Day Commemoration at the Wolrd War II Memorial.
Special recognition was given to World War II Veterans from African American units, the Tuskegee Airmen, 555th Parachute Infantry, 92nd Infantry Division, Montford Point Marines, the Prometheans, and the 3434 Quartermaster Corps Company (Red Ball Express.) WWII veterans from each group participated in the presentation of the memorial wreaths at the Freedom Wall of Stars.
The United States Marine Band played prior to the ceremony.The ceremony began with the posting of colors by the Military District of Washington's Armed Forces Color Guard and continued with remarks by General Becton and the presentation of memorial wreaths. The event concluded with the playing of Taps.
The Annual National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery honored all veterans who served and continue to serve in the military.
The U.S. Army Military District of Washington conducted an Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknowns, that was followed by an observance program hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Memorial Amphitheater. The Honorary Chairman was Honorable Barack Obama who gave a proclomation and conducted a presidential wreath ceramony. The United States Army Band played "Pershing's Own," prior to the ceramony and again at the Retiring of the Colors.
All events were free and open to the general public. No tickets were needed to attend these events. Space was limited to standing room only for the wreath-laying ceremony and seating was available on a first-come, first-served basis in the amphitheater. Some attendees arrived as early as 8 a.m. to secure a spot and were required to pass a security check point to be be granted admittance.