People across the area took time Sunday to remember and pay tribute our nation's heroes.
Veterans Day commemorations kicked off at the Philadelphia National Constitution Center in the morning with a flag raising ceremony on the front lawn. Visitors participated in a moment of silence and a wreath-laying ceremony to honor their sacrifice. The emotional ceremony featured the Temple University’s Color Guard and the 28th Division Band from Hollidaysburg, Pa.
Philadelphia’s official ceremony to observe the holiday was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Washington Square Military Cemetery at 7th and Walnut Streets. Mayor Michael Nutter participated in the wreath-laying ceremony.
During a ceremony at the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden servicemen honored Andrew Chmiel, one of 15 men from the 6th Naval Beach Battalion which stormed ashore at Normandy Beach during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
“This is a great honor. It’s great to be a part of history,” said Andrew Chmiel.
Some family members accepted the award on behalf of members no longer here.
“If it happened 15 years ago it would have been 15 of us here but now there are only two. I still have memories. You never forget,” said Vincent Kordak.
The Philadelphia Eagles are set to honor veterans at Lincoln Financial Field during tonight's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The federal observance of Veterans Day is Monday.
