Veterans remembered at Prince William memorial

By Uriah A. Kiser

Published: November 1, 2008

The sun shone brightly on about 25 veterans saluting the flag Saturday to honor those who have died to defend it.

As the honor guard looked on, a wreath was laid at the Prince William County Veterans Memorial around 10:30 a.m.

The marble stone monument, located at the county government center, lists the names of county residents who have died serving in combat, from World War I through the Vietnam War.

The solemn sound of "Taps" could be heard in the background as Prince William Supervisor John D. Jenkins, D-Neabsco, and Vietnam veteran and local businessman Desi Arnaiz laid the wreath on the marble monument.

Many veterans said the ceremony held special meaning to each of them and served as a way to never forget the friends they lost on the

battlefield.

"If we don't do this, we give the younger generation no reason to stand up and de-fend their country," said Arnaiz, who served in Vietnam from 1967-68.

Arnaiz served as the host of the event, which was sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America Battlefield Chapter 617 from Manassas.

As a returning soldier, Arnaiz said he was spat on by some when he returned from Vietnam. He said that recognizing the sacrifices of those serving will ensure no one is ever spat on again.

Jenkins, who also served in the military, said he has supported veterans' efforts since taking office in 1982.

"Unlike Memorial Day, which remembers only those who have lost their lives in armed conflict, Veterans Day honors all who have served," Jenkins said.

With Veterans Day still more than 10 days away, some at the ceremony said they paid their re-spects this weekend so they could attend events at the Vietnam Memorial on the actual holi-day.

Three local veterans groups participated in the wreath laying, including American Legion Post 10 in Manassas.

The post was named for Robert Vincent McMaugh, a Marine security guard who was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.

McMaugh, described Saturday by veteran Gunny Lewis of Manassas as a native son, attended school in Prince William.

McMaugh and 62 others were killed in 1983 when a van carrying 2,000 pounds of explosives crashed into the embassy and exploded, Lewis said.

"When Francis Scott Key wrote 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' he called Amer-ica the land of the free and home of the brave. Those words were as true then as they are to-day," Lewis said.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.