A VFW Post in Manville, New Jersey, held a Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11 to remember veterans of the Global War on Terrorism.
VFW Post 2290 Post Commander Andy Henkel said that Post and Auxiliary members wanted to recognize veterans of recent wars during the ceremony.
Members of VFW Post 2290 honor Global War on Terrorism veterans during a Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11 outside their Post in Manville, New Jersey. The commander of the Post, retired Navy veteran Andy Henkel, said that they wanted to honor the service and sacrifices of Global War on Terrorism veterans, as well as 9/11 first responders and the last 13 service members who died in the final days of the Afghanistan War. Photo courtesy of VFW Post 2290.“We want to continue to teach the public, especially the younger generation, about history,” said Henkel, a Vietnam War veteran. “The Global War on Terrorism is not being taught in schools. Little is taught about the Vietnam War. Little is being taught about World War II. Even Korea — they don’t teach that it’s still going on.”
Henkel, a retired Navy chief petty officer said that the Post’s Patriot Day ceremony was held in remembrance of first responders who died on 9/11 and the families who’ve lost loved ones.
“We also wanted to incorporate the Global War on Terrorism veterans, because it all started with them,” Henkel said. “And we are going to continue this tradition as long as we can.”
Henkel said it is “important” to hold ceremonies on Patriot Day. He added that Manville, located about 35 southwest of Newark, New Jersey, is a “very patriotic” town.
“We had a couple of hundred people show up to the ceremony,” Henkel said.
Churches and the fire department in Manville, Henkel said, commemorated the day with sounding bells for the last 13 military men and women who died on Aug. 26 in the final days of the Afghanistan War.
The Post and Auxiliary are already planning a ceremony for the upcoming Veterans Day, Henkel said, adding: “We will always remember past veterans and honor today’s veterans at our Post.