Hundreds attend Veterans Day ceremony at Wilmington National Cemetery

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds of civilians and veterans gathered at the Wilmington National Cemetery on Veterans Day to honor those who have served.

The annual service was held by the New Hanover County Veterans Council. The public ceremony was followed by a Massing of Colors ceremony at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church.

The Massing of the Colors ceremony provided a brief, moving ceremony designed to honor the nation’s flag and those who have served it proudly. U.S. Navy veteran Chad Hartwell says he comes from a long line of men who served.

“It means a lot for me to be out here with all the people and sharing it and passing it on to my grandkids,” said Hartwell.

The guest speaker for the Massing of the Colors was Sergeant Fred Jones, a Veteran of the U.S. Army who served in the Korean War.

As a veteran, Jones worked with the Veterans Administration to successfully recognize the sacrifices of “Colored Troops” during the Civil War. There is now a historical marker commemorating their sacrifices made during the war on Market Street near the national cemetery.