Photo of the Quantico National Cemetery by Tiffiney Wertz
Despite rain, wind and chilly temperatures, somber-yet- respectful guestsgathered at the Quantico National Cemetery Nov. 11 for a Veterans Day ceremony.
The ceremony was presented by the Potomac Region Veterans Council and guests included the Quantico Marine Corps Band, base commander Col. Dan Choike, and many active-duty and retired service members.
‘‘All across America a great nation comes together,” said Thom Karlson,chairman of the Potomac Region Veterans Council. ‘‘May God always bless the United States.”
Although the weather conditions were anything but pleasant, guests listened attentively to the message Karslon delivered about the importance helpingremember the legacy of Veterans.
Karlson also addressed the many service members who lost their lives fighting for this country in past battles and the ones who are still fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Choike talked about finding the right words to say for theceremony, saying he found those words from the song entitled ‘‘When it’sall said and done,” by Jim Cowan, to describe Veterans Day. As Choikerecited the verse,
‘‘When it’s all said and done, there is just one thing that matters,Did I do my best to live for truth, Did I live my life for You, Whenit’s all been said and done, All my treasures will mean nothing,Only what I’ve done for love’s Reward, Will stand thetest of time.”
With that verse, Choike summed up thesignificance and magnitude of what VeteransDays stands for.
Retired Master Sgt. John Pettit said,‘‘This day is to recognize all of the militarywho served, are still serving.”
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