Proud to be Americans

“Honoring Our Veterans” was the theme of The Normandy Apartments Veteran’s Day ceremonies on Nov. 11.

A Marine Color Guard opened the event as veterans from The Normandy and community were welcomed to places of honor at the head of the proceedings.

The Pledge of Allegiance, the Star Spangled Banner and a remembrance of POWs and MIAs were followed by a recollection of our country’s wars. Keyboard artist Gary Ryan offered appropriate musical selections from each era.

The POW and MIA table occupied a place of honor at the front of the ceremony. The tradition of setting a separate table in honor of our prisoners of war and missing comrades has been in place since the end of the Vietnam War.

Members of the Marine Color Guard then called out the name and branch of service of each veteran in attendance as staff pinned each veteran with a patriotic memento of thanks.

Three members of the veteran’s assembly, Sam Trachtenberg, Dr. Sanghwan Lew and Dick Donaldson, then shared stirring recollections of their service.

: Dr. Sanghwan Lew shared his experience as a young man facing the conflicts of the Korean War in his homeland. He shared an important testimonial recognizing the role of the US military involvement in his country. Without the intervention of the United States, said Dr. Lew, he would have never been able to come to this country and become a valuable citizen and practicing physician. Dr. Lew came to the United States in 1957.

: The POW/MIA table symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner alone against oppressors. This table is separate from the others and can be set for one to four place settings to represent each service participating in the event.

: Former Navy quartermaster Sam Trachtenberg recalled his days of World War II service. He followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Navy, serving on the USS Marlboro. He kept the ship’s log and steered the ship into battle stations through VJ Day.

: Richard Donaldson asked guests to reflect on their family tree and look at each leaf that may represent a past military member. Mr. Donaldson’s research into his family genealogy took him to back to Pennsylvania. He was able to trace his heritage to a parcel of land given to an ancestor as remuneration for service in the Revolutionary War. Guess who signed the deed? G. Washington!