PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The official Philadelphia Veterans Day ceremony drew a sparse but fervent group to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington Square on Wednesday.
Veterans laid wreaths at the memorial’s eternal flame in honor of all who have served the U.S. military in that war and since.
Judge Pat Dugan, a former paratrooper, was the master of ceremonies. He emphasized that this is a distinctly different holiday from Memorial Day.
“Every day is Memorial Day because we remember the fallen every day. Veterans Day is one day set aside to remember the service of all those who’ve served,” he said. “You were willing to raise your right hand to serve your nation.”
Keynote speaker Burt Watson, a boxing and mixed martial arts promoter, credited his career in the Marines for the tools that made him successful.
“I actually influenced the athletes that I worked with that they needed a mindset, a game plan and a commitment to succeed,” he said.
Mayor Cherelle Parker was listed on the program but did not attend.
Serving those who served our country
In Media, hundreds of spectators and participants joined in on the Veterans Day Parade, including retired Col. Arthur Lee Jenkins Jr., Delaware County’s director of military and veterans affairs.
During his tenure as director, Jenkins has focused on veterans’ mental health by establishing programs like the Adopt-a-Veteran initiative.
“I basically invited students from all over the county to meet with, interact with and establish relationships with our veterans,” he said. “I’ve really sought to lean into those veterans who are struggling with mental health challenges.”
His latest program is a book discussion group for female veterans, a group he said often goes overlooked. They will have their first meeting on Nov. 16 at the Haverford Library.
“All these individuals have one common thread,” Jenkins said. “They took the path less traveled and suited up in uniform in one of our military branches [and] contributed to the greatness of this nation.”
A service member’s sacrifice
Throughout history, American service members have been called to fight in unpopular wars and conflicts. This year, with the ongoing war in Iran, Atlantic City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz said we must honor the men and women who serve, regardless of how much we support the overall mission.
“We cannot lose the focus on the people who are on the ground and who are giving their life and their limbs to support this democracy,” he said. “We must always let them know that we support them.”
Shabazz said service members signed up to defend our freedom, and they don’t get to choose when or where they’re deployed.
“They don’t make the policy choices but they still serve,” he added, “and we as citizens have to support their service and we have to support their commitment to our country and to the democracy and the greater ideals of America.”
