VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (NNS) – Capt. Robert “Barr” Kimnach, commanding officer, Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), and additional staff officers pay fitting tributes to service members during Veterans Day ceremonies in Ventura County, Nov. 11, 2021.
Separate from Memorial Day, which honors America’s fallen, Veterans Day celebrates the country’s living sons and daughters who swore an oath to defend the Constitution.
“Honoring our country’s veterans provides perspective on hardship,” said Kimnach, who delivered remarks at the Ventura County Veterans Memorial. “Social distancing measures during the pandemic meant Americans have missed birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals and social-life in general. It has given America a glimpse of what our veterans routinely endured over their active-duty careers. This is one of the things that make military service powerful, those who volunteer, separate themselves from loved ones for the sake of others.”
Veterans Day traces its origins to the celebration of Armistice Day in 1918, at the end of WWI, at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. An act of Congress in 1954, changed the name to "Veterans Day", with President Dwight D. Eisenhower calling on all U.S. citizens to observe and remember the sacrifices of those who served their country.
Capt. Kirk Lagerquist, chief staff officer, NBVC, delivered remarks at the Knights of Columbus Council Number 750, in Oxnard, Calif.
“Today and every day, the prayers of the American people are with those who wear our country's uniform,” said Lagerquist. “They serve a great cause, and they follow a great tradition, handed down to them by America 's veterans. Our veterans from every era are the finest of citizens. We owe them the life we know today. They command the respect of the American people, and they have our lasting gratitude.”
Speaking from Oxnard’s historical Plaza Park, Master Chief Petty Officer Andre Brown, command master chief, NBVC stated veterans may differ by gender, race, age, national origin, or profession, but they share a common love for their country.
“The title “veteran” must be earned,” said Brown. “It is a title endowed by a grateful nation on citizens whose shoulders were broad enough to carry the weight of our common defense. And it is a title that speaks of love of country, and of a belief in America’s goodness, and our strength.”
The NBVC Color Guard supported a Veterans Day event at California State Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif., while other members spoke at local schools and thirteen Sailors appeared on the Kelly Clarkson Veterans Day Show in Los Angeles.
NBVC is comprised of three distinct operational facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. NBVC supports and enables the Fleet, Fighter and Family by providing effective and efficient readiness from the shore and is home to the Pacific Coast Seabees, the Westcoast Hawkeyes, 3 warfare centers and the U.S. Navy’s “Ghost Fleet,” unmanned air and sea vehicles. It is Ventura Counties largest employer and protects Southern California’s largest coastal wetlands through its award-winning environmental program.
Date Taken: | 11.11.2021 |
Date Posted: | 11.11.2021 17:29 |
Story ID: | 409215 |
Location: | VENTURA, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 360 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Navy Leaders from Naval Base Ventura County Commemorate Veterans Day, by LTJG Drew Verbis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.