A small crowd gathered Friday for the opening ceremony for the 14th Annual Honor Guard Vigil at Washington Square Park in Ottawa. John Duback with the American Legion Post 33 in Ottawa says the reason the event is done the weekend before Veterans Day is to remind people who served and to thank the public for supporting them while they served. There was an opening ceremony with the laying of a wreath and a speech from Ottawa Mayor Dan Aussem. American Legion Senior Vice Commander Matthew Weaver was the first person to stand guard at Memorial Plaza, along with his family. He says it means a lot to be chosen to go first.
Vietnam War Veteran Larry Johnson says he attends the vigil every year and feels gracious for what the people do. But he also wishes there was a bigger crowd.
He wasn’t able to do a fifteen minute shift because of an injury he received while in the war. Jerry Sexton with the American Legion had two fifteen minute shifts on the Memorial Plaza Friday.
The vigil continues until 5pm Saturday. There will be a visit from the John F. Kennedy Sea Cadets from 11am to 1pm. There will also be music from “Flutes for Vets” and from the “Tune of Glory” Bagpipers. Also before the ceremony ends there will be a Ham Radio Field Day. The vigil ends with closing remarks and a playing of “Taps.”
Weaver’s family joins him on Memorial Plaza during his fifteen minute shift.
A small crowd gathers for the opening ceremony for the Honor Guard Vigil.
The Avenue of Flags, which honors a veteran living or dead.