WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Honoring those who have served our country is what the Veterans Day Ceremony at the National Wilmington Cemetery was all about.
Veterans Day is a time to honor and thank the many brave men and women who have served our country.
“Being here is a very humbling experience because all the people that are here paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and I love this community and the people that are here and they make us feel special,” Vietnam Veteran David Blazer said.
Blazer said he was proud to be at the Veterans Day ceremony in Wilmington. It gave him a moment to think back and reminisce on the past.
“I feel like that this is a reminder for all of us that, ya know we served, there were people that I served with that didn’t come home and I feel lucky to be here. My family loves me and I really feel like this is a special day where everybody should be proud to be an American,” Blazer said.
Meanwhile the ceremony gave a reminder that freedom isn’t free.
“Veterans, a lot of them pay the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and we should never forget that,” Blazer said.
As people thanked veterans for their service and waved the American flag with pride, others took note.
“It’s like a homecoming and you’re passing along a heritage, you’re emphasizing that, it’s showing appreciation and also accepting appreciation from others,” veteran Kenneth Klassen said.
The New Hanover County Veterans Council Chairman and veteran Frank Roberts said this is a great way for the community to come together honor veterans and show them how thankful they are.
Roberts also said there are more than 22,000 veterans in New Hanover County.