Veterans Day Ceremonies

[farlymac]

Todays ceremony at the Vinton War Memorial in Vinton, VA was held indoors due to the cold weather. Musical selections were provided by the William Byrd High School Brass Quartet, and the Presentation of The Colors was done by the WBHS Junior ROTC. Judith Cline, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Music Department of Hollins University sang the National Anthem, and the Invocation was provided by the Rev. David Vaughn, Pastor of Thrasher Memorial Methodist Church.

The Master of Ceremonies was Lt. Colonel Dan Karnes, U.S. Army (Ret), and president of the Roanoke Valley Veterans Council. The Rev. Sandy Webb, Curate of St. Johns Episcopal Church gave the Prayer For Peace.

A Veterans Day Address was given by Major General James Archer, U.S. Army (Ret). He also presided over the presentation of a Bronze Star to Private John C. Eakins, U.S. Army, for meritorious combat duty in Italy during World War II. And as a personal sign of his gratitude for Private Eakins' duty, General Archer presented him with a Commanders Coin.

Private Eakins and his familty then greeted guests and posed for photos, and refreshments were served in the next room.


Veterans Day 11-11-11 by br1078phot, on Flickr


VintonWarMemorialBuilding by br1078phot, on Flickr


Vinton War Memorial by br1078phot, on Flickr
The octogonal pavilion was completed this year, and the inscription on the rock refers to "...a soldier always looks for high ground." It surrounds a flag over a fountain, and the inscriptions circling the structure read "Here Pause Awhile - To Bless Their Sleep - Who Fell In War - To Save Our Peace - Then Go Renewed - And Build The Lives - They Lost For You - In God We Trust".


Vinton War Memorial by br1078phot, on Flickr


Vinton War Memorial by br1078phot, on Flickr


Vinton War Memorial by br1078phot, on Flickr


Master Of Ceremonies by br1078phot, on Flickr


May He Never Have To Serve by br1078phot, on Flickr


Bronze Star Presentation by br1078phot, on Flickr


After The Ceremony by br1078phot, on Flickr


Bronze Star Recipient by br1078phot, on Flickr


Private Eakins's Family by br1078phot, on Flickr

PF

 

[Ducky]

dallas subvets by sarahsgrandpa, on Flickr

Dallas, TX, submarine veterans. That's me, back row right.

 

[farlymac]

Which boat, Ducky? I was on the 668 out of Norfolk, '72-'74.

PF

 

[Ducky]

farlymac, I was on the 385 boat, a guppy converted WWll diesel, in '52-'56. I operated the engines among other things. Great fun.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Nice pictures, and a great ceremony.

There is a Guppy class Submarine on Display in Charlottesville, next to the USS Yorktown.

My Uncle was a Submariner during WW-II. Dad was in B-29's, and Uncle in the Marines as well. All in the Pacific. My Dad and his crew were rescued by the USS Sunfish, SS-281.

We spent the day at the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum.

 

[farlymac]

Ducky, I was a Torpedoman, so of course we we're the defacto Bosu'ns. When I wasn't cleaning something, I was driving (Well, that's what some guys called it. But with the yoke type controls, it was more like slow-speed flying).

PF