Flag to a Fallen Father Waves Over McLean Veterans Day Observance

Veterans of World War II, Korean, and Vietnamese, families of veterans and a company-size group McLean High School students gathered for an annual McLean Veterans Day observance in a memorial garden at the school Friday.

Principal Dr. Deborah Jackson spoke movingly of the sacrifices of the families of veterans. Two weeks ago she and her family welcomed home a son-in-law returning from Afghanistan. She has a niece serving in the Army in Iraq. She lost a cousin in Vietnam.

The flag that flew over the school once covered the casket of a 23-year-old Army officer killed in Vietnam in 1970. His daughter Paige Whitlock is now an assistant principal at McLean High. She was eight-months old  when her father John Wilson Roberts III was killed after his tank hit a mine.

John Wheeler, of McLean, was there. He was nineteen years old when he landed in the hell of Iwo Jima in February 1945.

Glenn Yarborough, a Vietnam veteran, led the ceremony as commander of the McLean American Legion post.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you have done for our freedom," Dranesville Supervisor John Foust said to the crowd of nearly 200. "Thank you for the sacrifices you have made for the freedoms we have."

Dr. Jackson: "I remind the students we have to stand up if we're going to enjoy the freedom I want for my children and grandchildren. Look at the legacy here and at Arlington."

Hardy Cox, a McLean student came to the ceremony because "any time we get to honor the veterans" we need to "because they keep us safe."

Connor Gilmartin and his family recently moved to McLean from Germany. His parents are both West Point graduates who are serving in the U.S. Army. "It's always nice to appreciate soldiers who have served this country," he said.

Former Del. Vince Callahan, who represented the 34th House District that includes McLean for 40 years and served as a young Marine in Korea, is now a student of World War I.

He recited In Flanders Field, a poem about young men dying in war, that has become a favorite moment in these annual observances.

"We do this in memory of all the veterans here today and gone before," Yarborough said.

Roland Creps of McLean who served for four years in Vietnam, said: "It's important that the young people get to see and remember that there are old veterans and they get to hear from them."

A wreath was laid. Taps sounded and the ceremony in chilly temperatures  on the 11th day of the 11th month at about 30 minutes after 11 am. ended. There was a resonance. Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day, the day World War I ended at 11 am. Nov. 11, 1918.

John Roberts flag swayed in the wind.