Hundreds gather at war memorial to honor veterans

RICHMOND, VA -- Flags snapping in the brisk wind.

Shots from a 21-gun salute resonating through the Virginia War Memorial, followed by the somber tones of taps.

Veterans standing at attention, right hands raised to the edge of their headgear in a respectful salute.

Hundreds gathered at the war memorial yesterday on a chilly, rainy morning for a solemn ceremony honoring America's veterans.

Veterans from World War II to Vietnam, along with cadets at Virginia Military Institute, were represented on the 90th anniversary of the first Veterans Day, a day set aside by President Woodrow Wilson to remember America's dead from World War I.

"It's a day to honor the dead as well as the living and what their sacrifice meant for America," said Charles Brammer, commander of the American Legion's 11th District.

Etched in glass and marble, the names of more than 11,600 Virginians who died for their country surrounded those gathered at the memorial on South Belvidere Street in Richmond.

Words such as sacrifice, honor, courage and defending America's freedom flowed from a variety of speakers. They spoke of remembering veterans who defended their country and inherent freedoms given to Americans.

"What all of us must never forget, and thus never take for granted, is that because of you, every day, all of us can enjoy all that this nation stands for, all that this flag stands for, all this nation has to offer," said Virginia Secretary of Public Safety John W. Marshall.

Among those in attendance was retired Col. Van T. Barfoot, who received the military's highest honor -- the Medal of Honor -- for his actions on May 23, 1944, near Carano, Italy.

There was Russell Beggs, who enlisted in the Navy on the one-year anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and served for 40 years in the Navy and the Navy Reserve.

Ron "Tigger" Mabry served in Vietnam in 1968-69 and said his fellow veterans are never far from his mind. "I think of them every day of the year -- they're my brothers, my sisters, living or dead," he said.

Keynote speaker Brig. Gen. Jesse R. Cross, deputy commanding general at Fort Lee, said the debt Americans owe military personnel is one that cannot be repaid.

But words and deeds can honor those sacrifices. This can be done, Cross said, as Americans live their lives "by taking full advantage of all of our rights that we defend."

Cross said ways Americans can honor military heroes are to:

• vote in every election;

• write a letter to the editor of your local paper;

• volunteer your time to a worthy cause;

• fulfill your jury duty;

• be a volunteer firefighter;

• mentor a child;

• represent your company well while you are abroad; and

• make sure you are registered for Selective Service.

Simply "live your life to be a good American," Cross said. "Then all veterans will be proud to know their sacrifice was not in vain."

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .