Veterans Honored Amid New War Fears

Americans paid tribute to the dead of wars past in solemn Veterans Day ceremonies Sunday at the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial--amid fears that the nation may be swept into a new war in the Persian Gulf.

At the Vietnam memorial, Bob Horsch of Rahway, N.J., a veteran of Army service in Vietnam, said he believed it was “just a matter of time” until the United States was at war again.

Horsch said he believed the military buildup in the Persian Gulf was justified by the need to protect American interests and those of other countries.

Stephen Reuben of Lapwai, Ida., a member of the Nez Perce tribe who also served in Vietnam, declined to say whether the buildup was a good idea, but also said he fears the country was headed for war.

“I am afraid so, but I pray and hope we don’t,” Reuben said.

Speakers at the ceremonies, including Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, paid tribute to the American troops now serving in the gulf region.

At Arlington National Cemetery, Cheney laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and addressed a capacity crowd in the adjoining Vermont marble amphitheater, which seats 5,500.

“Those who have been deployed to the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia are probably the best-trained soldiers we have ever had,” he said. “The nation and the world will be better for their service.

“People who are concerned about peace must stay prepared for war,” Cheney said.

The ceremonies, held on traditional Veterans Day in advance of today’s official national holiday, took place under bright, sunny skies, with a crisp wind whipping through the flag-draped amphitheater at Arlington.

At the Vietnam memorial, an armed services color guard and a bagpiper playing “Abide With Me” accompanied military and patriotic groups who placed wreaths in front of the 58,000 names inscribed on the ebony-colored, granite wall.

Meanwhile the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project announced the selection of two finalists in its competition for a design of the memorial, to be built alongside the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. The target date for its dedication is 1992.