PORT ANGELES — Members of the armed forces have shown constant vigilance in breaking down walls, Rear Adm. Robert McClinton told about 1,000 people at the regional Veterans Day ceremony at Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles on Ediz Hook.

“Twenty years [and] two days ago, down came the Berlin Wall,” McClinton said.

“Since that time, we have not run out of walls to tear down in one form or another.”

McClinton, who spoke along with the station’s commanding officer, Capt. Scott Pollack, listed about a dozen countries that constitute threats to the United States, including North Korea and Iran, before saying that there is “a vast amount of hard work ahead of us.”

The annual event was the largest Veterans Day gathering on the North Olympic Peninsula.

More than 120 people stood in the rainy Gardiner Cemetery in remembrance of Medal of Honor recipient Marvin G. Shields and all other veterans who sacrificed their lives for their country.

Observances also were conducted at the American Legion Marvin G. Shields Memorial Post 26 in Port Townsend and by the Port Ludlow Veterans Association, while Songwriting Works members sang songs composed by elders and families honoring World War II veterans at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship hall in Port Townsend Wednesday night.

Vietnam veterans

At the Port Angeles ceremony, Vietnam War veterans were especially honored.

McClinton said he was glad to recognize now the men and women who served in the war because when they returned from the war — the last soldiers left Vietnam in 1973 — they were not honored as they should have been.

“These men and women were greeted with apathy, and even disdain,” he said. “They served with honor, courage and total professionalism.

“I really believe that this country has come to understand and appreciate what they did.”

Tom and Betty Johnson of Sequim said after McClinton’s remarks that they were thankful for the recognition.

Tom Johnson served in the Marines during the Vietnam War.

“He completed 506 missions while over there,” Betty Johnson said.

Tom Johnson said the two had attended the ceremony for several years, and would likely continue in the future.

“It brings back so many memories,” he said. “It is good to keep this in the forefront of the community’s mind.

“When we were coming back from Vietnam, we were not very well received, so it is good to see how that has changed over time.”

McClinton said he was thankful for the troops and for those who paid the “ultimate price” by giving their lives in battle, but that he hoped the future would hold something new.

“It is our fervent hope that, in the future, diplomacy will resolve all conflicts,” he said.

Kandi and Ernie Latson of Port Angeles said they have attended for years.

“It is really important for us to pay tribute to members of the military,” Ernie Latson said.

“When our kids were young we wanted to instill those values of giving thanks for those who fought for and paid the ultimate price for our freedom.”

The Port Angeles High School band, the Grand Olympics Chorus of Sweet Adelines, Olympic Peninsula Men’s Choir and singers Amanda Bacon and Teresa Pierce performed.

After the ceremony, many gathered at the Clallam County Veterans Center at 216 S. Francis St., in Port Angeles, for a barbecue prepared by veterans.

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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.