SSgt. David P. Spears, "Chief of Smoke"25th ID, 2nd/9th Artillery, "BattleKings"
As most of you are probably aware this weekend is Veteran's Day. In more recent history I have tried to spend every Veteran's Day and when I can afford it Memorial Day in Washington, D.C. to pay honor and tribute to my grandfather (pictured above) and all the men and women past and present in the United States Armed Forces. Unfortunately recent events and well just life and in general has prevented me from traveling to D.C. for this year's events. Several of my family members, however, have been able to make it there for this week's events. What makes it sting a little for me is that this year is the 25th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial Wall being erected their in D.C. The event will be ongoing for most of this week, they actually started reading the names of each of the 58,000 plus names of the men and women listed on that wall yesterday at 4pm EST time. It will take four days to read that list name by name out loud, reader's will be starting at 5am each day and read until midnight each day until all the names have been read. According to my mother and sister who are there already, yesterday my good friend and retired Veteran, Hank Cramer
had the honor of being the first to read. Like my grandfather, both Hank and his dad have served with the 25th Infantry Division. Hank's dad is considered to be the very first casuality of the Vietnam War. Although, 25 years ago that was not the case and therefore only on the Traveling Wall Memorial will you see Hank Cramer's father listed first on the wall. Like Hank, my mom, sister, father, and so many of my dear Veteran's who are all there my heart longs to be in D.C. with them. And while that is not possible for me this year I will be holding them all dear to my heart and in my own special way pay tribute to each and everyone of them, including my granddad. Please take time to watch the videos and take some time to thank a Veteran and be sure to welcome them home, no matter how many days, weeks, months, or years they have made it home.
As most of you are probably aware this weekend is Veteran's Day. In more recent history I have tried to spend every Veteran's Day and when I can afford it Memorial Day in Washington, D.C. to pay honor and tribute to my grandfather (pictured above) and all the men and women past and present in the United States Armed Forces. Unfortunately recent events and well just life and in general has prevented me from traveling to D.C. for this year's events. Several of my family members, however, have been able to make it there for this week's events. What makes it sting a little for me is that this year is the 25th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial Wall being erected their in D.C. The event will be ongoing for most of this week, they actually started reading the names of each of the 58,000 plus names of the men and women listed on that wall yesterday at 4pm EST time. It will take four days to read that list name by name out loud, reader's will be starting at 5am each day and read until midnight each day until all the names have been read. According to my mother and sister who are there already, yesterday my good friend and retired Veteran, Hank Cramer
had the honor of being the first to read. Like my grandfather, both Hank and his dad have served with the 25th Infantry Division. Hank's dad is considered to be the very first casuality of the Vietnam War. Although, 25 years ago that was not the case and therefore only on the Traveling Wall Memorial will you see Hank Cramer's father listed first on the wall. Like Hank, my mom, sister, father, and so many of my dear Veteran's who are all there my heart longs to be in D.C. with them. And while that is not possible for me this year I will be holding them all dear to my heart and in my own special way pay tribute to each and everyone of them, including my granddad. Please take time to watch the videos and take some time to thank a Veteran and be sure to welcome them home, no matter how many days, weeks, months, or years they have made it home.
HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY
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