With the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in sight, the entire nation takes time to remember those who have given their lives in the name of freedom and democracy. Center for Service Support (CSS) Newport stopped normal workday routines for an hour on Tuesday morning, Nov. 10, to observe Veterans Day.

Chief Machinist Mate (SS) Darryl Jackson, command maintenance and material management system training officer, coordinated a presentation to honor all veterans. The command staff and active-duty personnel gathered in the main conference room where Captain Derric T. Turner, CSS commanding officer, welcomed and introduced guest speaker retired Navy Captain Gregory McCaslin Huet.

"The Veterans Day observance dates back many years - 96 to be exact - commemorating the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany, essentially ending the First World War," Captain Huet said as he opened his remarks.

CSS's Commanding Officer Capt. Turner said there is no better way for Sailors and civilian professions at his command to honor the men and women who sacrifice so much for the freedom of this nation, than to continue the work of the country and always take time to remember those like Captain Huet who served before us.
Captain Huet hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and joined the Navy Medical Service Corps in 1985 after earning his Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration in 1984. He retired from the United States Navy after nearly 27 years of honorable service in November 2011. He is a proud veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and is a decorated officer having earned military service awards: Legion of Merit with two gold stars, Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with three gold stars, and several other distinguished honors.
"I was left speechless after Captain Huet's speech," said Jackson. "His description of how his mother once told me that my father was one of the few to return home from his unit in Korea, left me both feeling sad and proud that so many of our elders served our country."

After WWI, Armistice Day was observed by the nation on a yearly basis, Nov. 11. As time went on, and the nation endured more tragedy through WWII and the Korean War, Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans."
The observance of Veterans Day at CSS was ended with an honored toast of Thanksgiving to all those who still serve, served, and those men and women that have passed on from this life's tour of duty.

"Salute!"

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