Above: Medal of Honor recipient Command Chief Master Sergeant Francis Huffman,
of Littlerock, Washington, acknowledges a standing ovation during Veterans Day
ceremonies today in Olympia. After the ceremony, Huffman said he received the medal for providing Air Force support actions in Vietnam in 1971 while surrounded by the enemy, an action that saved many lives.
By
Janine Gates
Veterans Day ceremonies were held throughout
the South Sound on Wednesday and the Thurston County Veterans Council held its event in the
Capitol Rotunda on the state Capitol Campus.
The Washington State American Legion Band, VFW Auxiliary Post 318, Tahoma Gold Star Wives, and other veteran organizations participated.
The Washington State American Legion Band, VFW Auxiliary Post 318, Tahoma Gold Star Wives, and other veteran organizations participated.
Thurston County Commissioner Bud Blake, a
retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, gave the keynote speech.
In his remarks, Blake said, “….Today in the global war on terror…we continue to welcome home veterans and thank them for their service. I personally experienced this gratitude when I, along with approximately 400 other service members, came home for R&R in February 2008. We departed the airplane at Dallas, Texas, and every single person waiting at the gate to board their airplane stood on their feet and applauded their veterans as we strolled by….until the last service member passed by. When I saw this I knew, immediately, we had learned from the mistakes of the Korea and Vietnam conflicts.
In his remarks, Blake said, “….Today in the global war on terror…we continue to welcome home veterans and thank them for their service. I personally experienced this gratitude when I, along with approximately 400 other service members, came home for R&R in February 2008. We departed the airplane at Dallas, Texas, and every single person waiting at the gate to board their airplane stood on their feet and applauded their veterans as we strolled by….until the last service member passed by. When I saw this I knew, immediately, we had learned from the mistakes of the Korea and Vietnam conflicts.
“So I am here to tell you that it does
not stop there….We need to show our soldiers returning from the recent wars…that
our welcome does not end at the airport terminal, with a hand shake or in a
parade. This generation’s challenge is to continue with the effort to help
those veterans who need assistance. We must fight on the home front by preventing
suicide and homelessness. We must assist veterans in receiving additional
medical care, education, and employment opportunities for themselves and their
families…..” said Blake.
Above: At the Washington State Vietnam War Memorial on the Capitol Campus today, Ashar Entrekin, 17, a senior at Capital High School, plays Taps at the conclusion
of the reading of the names for those killed and missing in action during the war. The event was sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Entrekin
said he’s been playing his trumpet for seven years.
For
more information about Thurston County Veterans Services, go to
www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ssveteran/index.html.
