The Veteran Employee Readiness Group (VET-ERG) led its Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) family once again in honoring service members with a Veterans Day Fall-In for Colors Ceremony, Nov. 9.

“Today, we celebrate our veterans who have served in the Armed Forces, protecting the freedoms of this great nation,” said Acting Shipyard Commander and Production Resource Officer Capt. James Mosman at the ceremony.

Veterans Day originated from Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I, which occurred on the 11th hour of the 11th month in 1918. Each year at NNSY, the shipyard workforce comes together to support the men and women who fought and continue to fight for the freedom of the nation. At NNSY alone, there are more than 3,000 veterans employed with more than 650 considered Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) wounded warriors.

“Veterans Day is a day where we can come together as a nation and salute those who have served our country, honoring their contributions and sacrifices to America and its people,” said Mosman. “For those of you who have served, I can never thank you enough for your efforts, because what you have done is so tremendously important to all of us. Your sacrifices have helped protect our freedoms. Your service is an undying testimony to the people of the United States and has helped our nation flourish into the greatest nation in the world. For those veterans who are no longer with us today, let us not forget the tremendous role in history that each of them played.”

Mosman pointed out this year also marked the centennial of Armistice Day, an important moment in world history.

“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the signing of the armistice between the Allies of World War I and Germany ended hostilities during the Great War and called for peace, acting as a tolling bell across all nations,"  said Mosman. "This momentous occasion, held in France, is imprinted in our history as a nation and throughout the world, forever remembered as Armistice Day. It’s been 100 years since that fateful day and 'America’s Shipyard' has come together to honor this centennial.”

Mosman then read the official proclamation from the United States World War I Centennial Commission regarding the Bells of Peace, a nationwide event saluting those who served with a ceremonious tolling of the bells.

“This event is a traditional expression of honor and remembrance of those who served, lost their lives, or were wounded in World War I,” said Mosman. The official Bells of Peace event took place Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. across the nation, including America’s Shipyard. Following Mosman’s reading of the proclamation, the bells were also rung at the Veterans Day ceremony to ensure all of America’s Shipyard had the opportunity to participate. The bells chimed 21 times, symbolizing the nation’s highest honor, the 21-gun salute.

Following the ceremony, Oscar C. Thorpe, the oldest veteran at NNSY, and Shanice Dolson, the youngest veteran station at NNSY, came together to cut the ceremonial cake to celebrate all veterans.

Mosman concluded, “Our many veterans are all heroes and we are forever grateful for everything that they - you - have done and continue to do for America’s Shipyard and our nation.”

The VET-ERG, an employee resource group at NNSY, is a group of like-minded people aiding the veterans within the shipyard and community.

“Thank you, VET-ERG, for hosting this event today and for everything you do for America’s Shipyard,” said Mosman. “This group works hard every day to help fellow veterans within the shipyard and within the community. Your efforts go above and beyond the call of duty, and we are proud of what you have accomplished.”

For more information regarding the VET-ERG, please contact VET-ERG President Tasha Beverly at tasha.beverly@navy.mil.

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