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The Veteran's Monument on Capitol Square in Raleigh provided the backdrop for its Veterans Day ceremony. Current soldiers and veterans joined local, state and national leaders to mark the occasion. The program featured patriotic music and speeches.
"When others turned away, it was our veterans who were willing to stand up, be counted, put their lives on the line and the boots on the ground," said Maj. Gen. William Ingram Jr., of the North Carolina National Guard.
In Johnston County, Gen. Hugh Shelton, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was one of the honored guests during a Veterans Day ceremony. Also in attendance was J.D. Lancaster, the last survivor from the USS Arizona that was bombed in Pearl Harbor.
"We pause today to salute the millions of veterans who have throughout our history have unselfishly placed their lives on the line for our country," Shelton said.
"If it wasn't for veterans, we wouldn't be here today and thank God for those that are out there today," said World War II veteran Don Delaporte.
"This country was founded by veterans and it doesn't hurt anyone to take a day just to say, 'Thank you,'" said Vietnam War veteran Richard Neville.
It was the second year the Johnston County school system thanked veterans. The plan is to make the ceremony an annual event.
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