U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, marked Veterans Day by ringing the Nasdaq Exchange Opening Bell in New York City. The ceremony took place aboard the USS Intrepid and included members of the U.S. Marine Corps and veterans.
During his remarks, Sen. Moran paid tribute to his father, Raymond Edwin Moran, a World War II veteran who served in North Africa and Italy. He highlighted the importance of recognizing those who have served in the military.
“Across America, from the prairies of my home state of Kansas to the skyline of New York City, people are expressing their gratitude and respect for those who serve our country today and for those who served our country in the past,” said Sen. Moran. “I think sometimes we think we have no heroes. But we look to the basketball courts and the amphitheaters of musicians, whenever the person that we work with, or down the hall, or across the street, served our nation in uniform.”
He shared a personal story about visiting the World War II Memorial and calling his father: “It wasn’t too long ago that I was at the World War II Memorial, and I went to the Kansas pillar, and I thought of my dad back home in small-town western Kansas who was a World War II veteran, so I called him on my flip phone,” continued Sen. Moran. “Fortunately, I got the answering machine, and I said, ‘Dad, I’m at the World War II Memorial, built in your honor, and I want you to know that I respect you, I thank you for your service, Dad, and I love you.’”
Senator Moran concluded by emphasizing national unity: “We stand together as Americans, and say to those who serve in uniform, and those who served us in the past, we respect you, we thank you for your service, and we love you.”
The event provided an opportunity for public recognition of veterans' contributions on Veterans Day.
