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JB MDL servicemembers give back on Veterans Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  More than 250 Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst servicemembers participated in Veterans Day events across New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania from Nov. 7 through 11.

These servicemembers, from every military branch, marched in parades, appeared as guest speakers and engaged with community members at an array of venues such as schools, colleges and senior centers.

Military volunteers visited numerous schools to speak at assemblies and visit students of all ages to discuss what serving in the military means to them.

"It was a great opportunity to speak with children and share my experiences regarding the places I've been to, the tasks I do on a daily basis and answer any questions they might have," said Airman 1st Class Evan Kerzer, 35th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation apprentice. "It was great to see how excited they were to have us at their school."

The largest of JB MDL's events was the New York City Veterans Day Parade held Nov. 11. More than 20,000 participants marched alongside 3,000 active-duty, Guard and Reserve servicemembers.

"I try to explain to each one of my Airmen the high regard the general public holds for the military, but my words don't do justice to the reception we get every year at the New York City Veterans Day Parade," said Master Sgt. Bryant Roy, U.S. Expeditionary Center first sergeant. "It was my third time being a part of the effort and I still got goosebumps. Every joint base servicemember should put this event on their 'to do' list before they (permanent change of station) out of here."

Volunteering for these events provides servicemembers an opportunity to interact with the community and showcase their discipline and dedication to the nation.

"Participating in events such as these is not only enriching for servicemembers, but the community as well," said 2nd Lt. David Murphy, 87th Air Base Wing Public Affairs community relations officer in charge. "We are the face of the military, so volunteering allows us to shape the public's perception of the military."

This federal holiday was not always known as Veterans Day.

A ceasefire in France between Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, unofficially ending World War I, then known as The Great War. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day a year later but it didn't become a federal holiday until May 13, 1938. Armistice Day later became Veterans Day after the conclusion of World War II and the Korean War to honor American veterans of all wars.