Veterans Day : Rites Honor Those Who Served and Died in Nation’s Wars

Janet Franks honored her son, Barry, who was killed in Vietnam, by wearing his medals Saturday.

Marine Lance Cpl. Barry Franks was killed at the age of 22 while en route from Vietnam to Japan after a brutal, yearlong tour in the war-ravaged country. The plane on which he and 34 others were passengers crashed, killing everyone aboard.

“I will always be proud of him,” Franks said Saturday, gently fingering her son’s medals pinned to her jacket. “But I miss him so much still.”

In honor of those who died and those who served in the United States’ wars, a solemn tribute was held at El Toro Memorial Park on Saturday, the official Veterans Day.

About 75 veterans and family members gathered for the first Veterans Day ceremony at the park, where 475 veterans are buried.

Hundreds of tiny American flags dotted the cemetery’s rolling hills, each one marking the grave of those who served in wartime. During the ceremony, veterans wept openly.

“I’ve got a lot of ghosts still,” said one Vietnam veteran, holding his young daughter’s hand as he talked to a group of soldiers after the ceremony. They steadied his hand, talked to him and suggested places he could get counseling.

“So much emotion comes out when you start remembering those you leave behind,” said Army Maj. Thomas Ferran, who also served in Vietnam. “But we all understand what he was going through. We’re all his brothers.”

Retired Col. Aaron Bank of San Clemente, who parachuted into France to assist the French Resistance against the Germans in World War II and later founded the Green Berets in 1952, spoke at the ceremony. He told his audience never to forget those who died.

“To be a soldier, sailor, airman or a Marine is not all stirring music and great parades. . . . It also meant the spilling of blood,” Bank, 87, told the audience in a booming voice.

Standing ramrod straight in his military attire, amber aviator glasses and beret, Bank was greeted after the ceremony by a line of veterans who wanted his autograph.

Nov. 11 was originally Armistice Day of World War I. It was a time to celebrate the end of all wars and the end of bloodshed for American troops. But because wars did not end and soldiers continued to die, Armistice Day became Veterans day, a time to remember the bloodshed of war.

Lee M. Belknap, 67, lost several friends during World War II when she served as a yeoman in the Women’s Auxiliary Volunteer Emergency Services for four years. Nov. 11 gives her time to think about what the country endured during its wars, she said.

“The day is so personal to me because I had served and because I had lost some friends,” Belknap said. “I need this day so I won’t forget those who died and those who served. It’s that simple.”