Families of US Veterans Wear Memorial T-Shirts

Wednesday 12th of November 2008 02:53:34 AM

Families of US Veterans Wear Memorial T-Shirts

Each year the United States celebrates Veterans Day in honor of al those who have served in the military. The holiday is marked by somber memorial services in cities and towns across the nation.

This year a Massachusetts family of a fallen soldier wore hooded sweatshirts with a picture of the soldier printed on them at a Cape Cod event. There were 25 members of Army Pfc. Paul Conlon’s family present at a ceremony and they all wore the gray hooded sweatshirts with pride.

Speaking at the ceremony was the Director of Management Support Services for the National Cemetery Administration, Mr. Regis Massimino. He said, "Veterans are ordinary people who are called upon to serve our country in extraordinary ways. They ask for nothing more than our respect, and yet they deserve so much more." Listening to Mr. Regis were 300 veterans and their family members that came from all over the state to honor the soldiers.

Pfc. Conlon’s family was visibly emotional during the ceremony, but they all were eager to let everyone know how proud they are of him. These ceremonies held around the country give family and friends a chance to publicly show support for the military, veterans, and family members who are also members of the military.

The memorial services are also celebrations. Though fallen soldiers are deeply missed and mourned, family and friends celebrate the service the men and women gave to their country. Veterans still living today are also honoured. The veterans represented at the services include those who have served in World War I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Middle East wars and operations with the most recent being in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Though each family member honoured the veterans in their own way, there was one common feeling that was easy to understand. There is a wish that the wars would end soon so that other families do not have to endure the same loss as them.

(c ) Image by Mike Stucka, www.sxc.hu/