Moving ceremony remembers all who have served

KENT — About 30 Kent residents assembled for a brief but moving ceremony on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at the World War II, Korean and Vietnam Memorial on Route 341.

Veteran Andy Ocif, who is  the adjutant of American Legion Hall-Jennings Post No. 153 was one of the organizers of the ceremony.

“We are here to honor all veterans, no matter where they served,� he said. “Memorial Day is for the deceased. What we’re doing here today is supporting all veterans, the living and the dead. Not everyone supports the troops in their mission, but everyone should support them as people.�

He explained that Veterans Day observances always fall on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., to commemorate the signing of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

Former Marine Jim Hart, who served in the military from 1973 to 1993, gave brief remarks while the Rev. Thomas Berberich, who served two tours of duty in Vietnam as an Army chaplain, offered a prayer at the ceremony.

Kent Center School eighth-grader Ryan Nadire, 13, played Taps on his bugle at the ceremony.  There was also a 21-gun salute.

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