Down in Carlisle, over a hundred Pennsylvanians filed into the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center for a Veteran’s Day ceremony.
We asked retired Army veteran Doug Johnson what he thinks of when waking up on Veteran's Day.
“What are the ceremonies that I'm obliged to participate in? Am I going to participate in uniform? and can I still get into my uniform?” Johnson said. “Second, thank God that we as a nation still commemorate a Veteran’s Day."
The remarks for the ceremony were brief, delivered by a Major General David Hill.
The bugle call to start the program was crisp.
The traditional minute of silence filled the hall with memories.
Then, 13 young men and women stood to take the oath of enlistment.
“I've known for a very long time that I wanted to serve my country,” Molly Nightingale said, one of the army recruits who took the oath. "Specifically, I had a very keen interest in helicopters. So from a very young age, I saw Chinooks flying and I just knew that's what I wanted to do.”
The new recruits are entering the military a week after divisive presidential elections. On a day dedicated to respect, we asked new and retired service members what unity in the nation can look like.
“Do things that are contributory. Do things are more important than you,” Ray Porter said, a retired U.S. Army Colonel. “Do things that are contributory to your block, your neighborhood, your community, your state, your country.”
“America is the melting pot,” Nikolas Lego said, another new army recruit who took the oath of enlistment this morning. "Just finding common ground between everyone. There's always something someone can relate to. Everyone sharing their stories. And as I said before, I think just perspective is the most critical part of finding unity for people not to be so closed off. And stay open minded.”
Lastly, Johnson shared why 6.1% of America’s population right now chose to join the military.
“I enjoy responding to the, to the comment from some people saying, 'oh, thank you for your service’.” Johnson said. "And my response is, you're worth it.”