Vice President Joe Biden, with the help of Army Sgt. 1st Class Devin McCann, places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unkowns in honor of Veterans' Day, at Arlington National Cemetery. (Photo: Alex Brandon/AP Images)
Honoring Our Veterans
VP lays wreath on Tomb of the Unknowns for Veterans Day
Kid Reporter Isaac Salant talks to Veteran Dennis Portword and his wife Linda at a Veterans Day ceremony November 11, 2010, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo courtesy Isaac Salant)
The troops marched in to shouted commands, their movements synchronized. They stop, then near silence — not a sound but the wind. A series of 19 ear-splitting cannon blasts shattered the air as Vice President Joe Biden stepped up to shake hands with Major General Karl Horst.
Welcome to Veterans Day at Arlington Memorial Cemetery, where more than 300,000 U.S. veterans are buried. On November 11 (11/11) each year, Americans honor their troops, especially remembering those who have died serving their country.
"Men [and women] serve their country and put their lives up on the line to keep you free," Dennis Portwood, 70, of Frederick, Maryland, told the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
Portword, who spent six years in the U.S. Coast Guard, joined a crowd of veterans who attended the annual ceremony. This year, Vice President Biden laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns, taking the place of the President who is at an international economic summit in Japan. The Tomb represents all the Americans who have died in battle, but could not be identified.
"War is not something we want to do," said Norm Henninger, 56, a Navy veteran from Ohio. As past national commander of the Army-Navy Union, Henninger helped plan the event, designed to "honor the nation's veterans for their service."
The U.S. Army band played the national anthem and a member of the band, Master Sergeant Allyn Van Patten, played Taps. Leading the band was Sergeant Major Mitchell Spray, 51. Spray was hard to miss with his 17-inch-high bearskin hat atop his head, making him 7 feet, 9 inches tall.
Leading the band on Veterans Day is a special honor, Spray said.
"It's very meaningful," he told the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
A bugler played Taps after Biden laid the wreath. Next door, at an open-air amphitheater, the Vice President saluted the veterans in a speech, especially those currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Only one percent of America is fighting these wars," Biden said. "One hundred percent of Americans owe them a thank you."
Veterans Day carries a special message, said Bob Cibik, 64, a former Marine sergeant who now teachers physical education in Ohio. He said that young people, even if they don't serve in the military, should volunteer to help their nation in other ways, like feeding the hungry.
"Freedom is not free," he said.
NEWS FOR KIDS, BY KIDS
Get the latest on national and international events, movies, television, music, sports, and more from the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
- Teacher Store
-
New Year's Day
The Teacher Store 
New Year's Day
by David F. MarxFollowing the well-known and much-loved Rookie format, each Rookie Read-About Holidays book explains the development of the holiday and how it is celebrated today.
$5.95
Paperback Book | Grades 1-2
Grades 1-2 $5.95
- Teacher Store
-
American Indian Festivals
The Teacher Store 
American Indian Festivals
by Jay MillerAnother great title from Scholastic. Detailed description coming soon.
$6.95
Paperback Book | Grades 3-4
Grades 3-4 $6.95
