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National Veterans Day event will recognize Miller, HonorAir

Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service will remember veterans at a special commemorative event on Veterans Day that also will recognize Jeff Miller for his role in founding Honor Air, the Hendersonville-based program that has flown thousands of World War II veterans to Washington to see the National World War II Memorial.

 

The first official 2012 Veterans Day Ceremony in Washington, which will be held at the National World War II Memorial at 9 a.m. Sunday, will honor veterans from all wars and give special recognition to veterans who served during World War II.

The Honorable Marcy Kaptur will give the keynote address and lead the delegation in the presentation of wreaths at the Freedom Wall, where the 4,000 stars commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in WWII. Representative Kaptur was responsible for recognizing the need for and introducing legislation in Congress to create the National World War II Memorial. Today, the World War II Memorial is one of the most popular tourist attractions in our nation's capital and a timeless salute to the men and women of the "Greatest Generation."

An Honor Flight from Illinois will transport more than 150 World War II veterans and their families to visit the Memorial and to participate in the Veterans Day ceremony.

The founder of Honor Flight, Earl Morse, and Miller, founder of Honor Air, will receive special recognition during the ceremony for their dedication to veterans and their roles in founding the Honor Flight Network, whose mission is to transport America's WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorial dedicated to their service and sacrifice.

The United States Air Force Band will play prior to the ceremony which begins with the posting of colors by the Military District of Washington's Armed Forces Color Guard. Representatives of the National Park Service, Friends of the National World War II Memorial and senior noncommissioned officers from each of the Armed Forces will participate in the presentation of wreaths. The event will conclude with the playing of Taps.