Veterans Share Meaning of Sacrifice on Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. - For Veterans Day in our nation’s capital, there were ceremonies across the District that honored our veterans and service members. 

The Navy band kicks off the Veterans Day ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. People gathered around to hear speeches and watch a wreath laying ceremony. Some of those in attendance are veterans themselves. 

“I served for 20 years from 1980 to 2000,” said Navy Veteran Tim Britt. “Most of my time was spent in the Pacific so between Pearl Harbor and Guam. I was in the submarine force.” 

“I was stationed aboard the USS Midway from 1987 to 1991,” said Navy Veteran Michael Morris. “We were on boarded out of Yokosuka Japan before I was deployed. I'm a Gulf Desert Shield, Desert Storm Veteran.” 

They said its an honor to experience ceremonies like this one.  

“I know this country had a time when veterans weren't being celebrated, you know Vietnam war veterans and whatnot,” said Morris. “It took time for the country to celebrate the way they deserve to be celebrated.” 

“I feel like our country is in a little bit of a tough time right now,” said Britt. “I feel like this idea of those who served and sacrificed can be a galvanizing force or light to look at for people to pull back together and say ‘hey we’re all one country we’re all one people we’re all human beings we’re all Americans.’ We can find some common ground to stand on regardless of what are personal beliefs are and who we voted for or ideological beliefs, let's find the things we have in common. Today is a day for me to thank my fellow service members men and women and the people who sacrificed their lives to protect the things we took for granted.” 

Both said being a service member and a veteran is to know the meaning of sacrifice.  

“The sacrifice is real,” said Morris. “When you’re a young kid and joining that you may not understand that but when you get out into your field of endeavor whether it's in the Navy or other branches, once you’re out serving, once you realize what your mission is you take it seriously and it does require a lot of sacrifice on our part to do what we need to do to keep this country safe.”  

“A lot of people sacrifice something whether it was time, time with their family or their lives to protect the freedoms that we enjoy so I think today is a day to remember that,” said Britt. “Do something even if it's beyond going up to someone and say ‘thank you for your service.’”