Veterans Day is always a special time at Tahoma National Cemetery (TNC) where Veterans are honored and thanked for their service to country, and those who are now resting remembered for their sacrifices in times past – some of which gave the ultimate sacrifice – to keep this country free.
Posted quietly at the back of the grassy knoll at TNC for the Veterans Day service on Friday, November 11, was a banner thanking the World’s Greatest Generation World War II Veterans (WWII). In his opening remarks, Tahoma National Cemetery Director Tom Yokes gave special recognition to the WWII Vets by asking them to stand, if they were able, and much to the delight of the crowd a good number did.
Quoting for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Yokes said of Veterans as a whole, “…let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace…”
Looking backward in time to March 3, 1865, Yokes told of President Lincoln signing legislation establishing a network of national facilities for Veterans called the National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. He pointed out that the very next day during his 2nd Inaugural Address, Lincoln stated, “…let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the Nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan…” It is from these words that the Department of Veterans Affairs derives their mission to care for Veterans and their families.
Furthering his comments about Lincoln, Yokes painted a picture of the Civil War’s great loses that number between 750-850 thousand soldiers/sailors or 2.5 percent of the population at the time. In today’s figures, those numbers would be somewhere around 8 million lost. Those numbers coupled with what Lincoln observed himself as well as his wife led him to understand the enormous need to care for those who have “borne the battle.”
Speaking about the Department of Veterans Affairs, Yokes stated that its lineage from Lincoln’s legislation can be traced back to the first facility in Togus, Maine, which is still opened to Veterans. In the late 1880s, Henry Spalding, a Veteran, called the facility a haven of refuge. “That first facility was about Veterans coming home,” said Yokes, “coming to a place that was their own.”
According to Yokes, today’s VA wants to feel like home to the Veterans. The VA wants to be the number one customer service agency in the Federal government with its MyVA Transformation. Currently, over 90 Community Veterans Engagement Boards have been placed around the country, with more on the way. They are seeing a large drop in Veteran unemployment with communities embracing Veterans. Yokes also reported that Veteran homelessness in 2 states and 31 communities has achieved a functional end to that life style.
Keynote speaker for the ceremony was WWII Navy Veteran, Milt Till. With plenty of thanks to go around for everyone, Till began his involvement with TNC a year prior to its opening in 1997. Very involved as an Honor Guard at the cemetery from its beginning, he stated that when the cemetery first opened, there were 1-5 services taking place as Veterans were laid to rest, however, today the number has risen to approximately 16 in one day. He went on to let everyone know that after the opening of the cemetery in September 1997, the first burials began on October 1, 1997. According to Till, over 47,600 are at rest in the cemetery with 38,500 being Veterans themselves.
Needless to say, Till, who can no longer serve as an Honor Guard due to health reasons, put a plug in for the need of new volunteers. “I hope some of you can come and participate if you are able and have time,” said Till.
After telling a story of not being able to get a hold of his good friend Dick Ludwig and his unhappiness at thinking his friend was no long around, he let everyone know that he had the greatest life. While speaking, another WWII Vet, who is a retired Honor Guard, stood up and loud enough for everyone to hear, thanked Till for all his hard work over the years. Till acknowledge him as another friend and said “God bless you brother!”
In his final comments, Till commented quickly on the contentious election. He reminded everyone that there was a mutual tie that binds us together as a country and that is the flag of the United States. “Our flag with its alternating stripes of red and white; our flag with its fifty white stars on a field of Blue. May Brave Hearts ever defend it, may it continue to fly in the free air of heaven over the greatest nation in the world.”
Guest Speaker Arlene Murray, a Gold Star wife, spoke about her life after she learned her husband died on Active Duty. She encouraged others that she had to adapt, adjust and overcome any situations that came her way and so could they. After receiving a pin and statement that she was a Gold Star Wife, she put the pin away until one day she discovered and joined The Gold Star Wives of America Inc. in 2011.
“You see, we aren’t just survivors, we continue to give back to our veterans who are serving, and who have served,” said Murray. “Each of us has a story of their own to tell…Life can change in an instant. Remember, to never take life, or a veteran’s history for granted.”
