Community Corner
Falls Church Honors Veterans at Memorial Day Service
Speakers emphasize serving those who have served.
"This day is not about beaches or picnics or auto races," Bob Smith, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9274, said to the crowd assembled outside the Falls Church Community Center. "It's about our veterans."
For the crowd at Monday's Memorial Day Veterans Ceremony, part of the 30th annual Memorial Day Parade and Fesival, honoring U.S. servicemen and women was foremost in their minds.
John Krisko of Fairfax, who served in the Army from 1958 to 1986, said he has made the Falls Church Memorial Day Fun Run and Veteran's Ceremony a family tradition for eight years, bringing his sons and grandchildren along with him.
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"We just want to honor the veterans, especially the ones who have truly given their lives," he said.
Verna Vargas, of Falls Church, who said she has many cousins in the military, attended the ceremony to honor troops from Puerto Rico.
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"Many Puerto Rican countrymen gave their lives," Vargas said.
Bob Smith, the keynote speaker at Monday's ceremony, spoke about the need to serve America's veterans every day.
"Don't just remember our veterans and troops on Memorial Day. Remember them every day," Smith said.
Smith told stories about his time served in Vietnam, and of the disappointment of his return home. There was, he said, no thanks for having served.
"It's important to tell these stories," Smith said. "If you're talking about it, you're sharing what should have been shared long ago, not just of the soldiers who died in Vietnam, but the ones who suffered and came back."
Smith encouraged the audience to see a veterans' organization and find out how to help support veterans and their families.
Sgt. Major Robert Petillo of the U.S. Army chorus sang the national anthem and "God Bless America," accompanied by The City of Falls Church Concert band.
Mayor Nader Baroukh made remarks about what Memorial Day meant to him as an immigrant from Iran. Baroukh said he is grateful for the opportunities in the U.S. that would not have been possible without the sacrifice of armed service members.
