RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginians across the Commonwealth gathered in Richmond on Monday, Nov. 11 to honor and reflect on the sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. military.
The Virginia War Memorial hosted its 68th annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, drawing hundreds of attendees to celebrate the courage and dedication of military men and women, both past and present.
The event, held in the Memorial’s outdoor amphitheater, was a moving tribute to those who have defended the freedoms Americans hold dear. The ceremony brought together veterans from all branches of the military, military families and active-duty service members, united in their recognition of the immense sacrifices made by those who serve.
“We wouldn’t have our freedoms without their sacrifice and without the sacrifices of their families,” said Vera Adcock, who was there with her husband Mars. Their son, Captain Shane Adcock, was killed in action during the Iraq War in 2006.
“Before we lost our son, today was just another day,” Mars Adcock said about Veteran’s Day. “Until you’ve had a loss or you know someone who’s had a loss, you don’t really understand the significance of this day and what it has on the effects of all the young men and women who served.”