Veteran’s Day memorial ceremony on Route 1
On Veterans Day last year, Allison Davis drove past the College Park Veterans Memorial while the ceremony was taking place and decided that next year, she would be there.
She sent an email to the American Legion, confirming the date and time, and when the clock reached 11 a.m. yesterday, she and her fiance sat in the 130-person crowd as College Park Mayor Andy Fellows and keynote speaker Lt. Col. Charles D. Vollmer honored veterans.
Though Davis has no direct connection to the military, her fiance, Ben Hancock, served in the United States Marine Corps for six years, and she wanted to celebrate him and all those who came before him.
“Since being with Ben, I’ve really been made aware of cultural military traditions. It’s opened my eyes to a lot of things,” Davis said. “I have an enormous amount of respect for veterans. This ceremony is a good way to pay tribute to the past and the future of our military.”
The annual ceremony drew political officials and community members to the memorial, as well as local veterans, who were asked to stand to be recognized during a military medley. Fellows, who delivered brief remarks during the ceremony, said he appreciates the annual recognition of veterans and the celebration of community it encourages.
“Though I hope there will come a time where we have a better way of resolving conflict than resorting to war and fighting, it is important to recognize the veterans and people who served their country every year,” Fellows said. “It’s a way of commemorating sacrifice and service, and it’s a great thing to be a part of.”
The College Park Veterans Memorial, which is maintained by the College Park Veterans Memorial Improvement Committee, is located at the intersection of Route 1 and Greenbelt Road. Attendees sat in folding chairs on two blocked-off lanes of the road, and passing drivers periodically honked their horns in recognition or threw thumbs-ups.
The event’s keynote speaker, Vollmer, served in the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War, flying more than 3,000 hours in fighter aircraft on 175 combat missions, Fellows said, and earning six Distinguished Flying Crosses and 11 Air Medals.
But when he took the stage yesterday, Vollmer didn’t focus on his achievements or war experience. Instead, he addressed today’s current generation of veterans — the “youngsters of the modern era” — and the work that still needs to be done in easing their transition into civilian life.
“I get a lot of questions, as a Vietnam vet, about the treatment of today’s generation of veterans, as compared to returning Vietnam veterans of the past,” Vollmer said. “My reaction is two-part: I’m very sincerely pleased by America’s reaction now and the outpouring of appreciation demonstrated. But I don’t think we’re doing enough.”
Vollmer cited finances and finding rewarding work in a post-military life as struggles faced by returning personnel — struggles he believes could be eased through support from the community.
“At the end of the day, I am pleased at the gracious outpouring of spirit you all demonstrate. Just by coming to pay homage at the memorial, it’s clear that you all care,” Vollmer said. “But we could all do more, and I encourage you to take the next step.”
For Hancock, who was recently accepted to the Army’s Officer Candidate School, the older generation of veterans — those who served in Vietnam, Korea or World War II — is the real group of people Veterans Day should honor.
“That older generation, they’re the real veterans; they are who we should commemorate on days like today,” Hancock said. “I think so highly of them and am just happy to be in their presence. This day is really about them.”
