Bethesda Club Honors Veterans at the Woodmont Triangle Park
Veteran's Day 2009 was a dreary looking, and, chilly cold, rainy day. It was the kind of weather that just goes through you where some were even shaking and a day when it is over, you go home and change your wet shoes and socks. It's usually not that way at all. Usually it's sunny, clear blue skies and maybe seasonally cool, but a nice fall day.
But days like this help you remember the kinds of weather our veterans and active duty service members experience ... from the rain soaked trenches in France in World War I, to the Battle of the Bulge's 1944 frozen mud, freezing WW II Atlantic Ocean ship convoys, Okinawa's stark heat, Korea's rice paddies to freezing winters, Vietnam's jungles, to Iraq's desert heat and Afghanistan's cold mountains. Not to speak of enemy action occurring simultaneously. Our inconvenience is ... nothing in comparison. And a good sized crowd of dignitaries, organizations, veterans and families were there. Eight members of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda were present, Wheaton-Silver Spring Club had an inter-club and the event was put together by Richard Ruprecht with Bob Cressy acting as Emcee. The music was provided by the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School brass quintet.
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11 November 2009 was an especially significant anniversary as it was the 50th Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda and the American Legion Fitzgerald Cantrell Post #105. In the cold rain, the monument honors veterans of World Wars I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Gulf Wars, as well as all who served. |
Bethesda Kiwanian The Reverend Doctor William Hague, Rector, Christ Episcopal Church Parish, Kensington, Lieutenant JG USN, retired, provided the Invocation and later the benediction, as he has movingly provided for many, many Veteran’s Day ceremonies. Thank you for your service Father Bill! |
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Montgomery County Executive Isaiah “Ike” Leggett, a U.S. Army Captain who served in Vietnam, a lawyer and long time public servant, movingly addressed the attendees. Thank you. Many government officials and civic service organization representatives were in attendance to honor your veterans and active duty service people. |
Standing alone and in silence is John Ratnavale, President of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda. He presented the club's wreath in the solemn ceremony. The young soldier standing at ease heard about the ceremony and wore his father's full dress uniform. He gave a touching, off the cuff, presentation.
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Pat Tiede, Editor for the Day
Bob Cressy, Photographer
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