Last month, I briefly shared my military story at DCI Group’s quarterly all-staff meeting.

Following ROTC at Penn State, I spent a little more than eight years in the Army – most in the Reserves – except for a year and a half in Military Police (MP) school in Alabama and a 2003 mobilization in Missouri teaching field artillery soldiers how to guard key Iraqi assets (bridges, energy plants, hospitals) as a MP. Although I believe I was well prepared, I was never called to serve in a combat zone.

I told my story as a way of relating to one of our DCI colleagues, Dave Vasquez, who temporarily departed the firm just days after that all-staff meeting on 6-month active-duty orders in Norfolk, Virginia. While there, Lieutenant JG Vasquez is fortunate enough to support the extraordinary men and women of Naval aviation onboard aircraft carriers at sea and on shore across military installations throughout the east coast. He recently was featured in a local news segment to “give journalists from across the country a chance to experience life as a U.S. Navy sailor.” DCI is proud of you, Dave!! 

And so, I’ve been thinking of Dave lately as Veterans Day draws near.

Veterans Day dates back to 1918 when an unknown soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. Veterans Affairs tells us, “similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France. These memorial gestures all took place on November 11th, giving universal recognition to the celebrated end of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11th, 1918 – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The day became known as “Armistice Day.” Forty years later the original Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day to honor all veterans.

Today, there are approximately 16 million veterans living in the U.S., plus 1.3 million U.S. active-duty personnel and another 750,000 in the National Guard and Reserves. In total, there are just over 18 million current and previous service members.

While there are scores of ways to express your appreciation to veterans, for those in and around DC, I want to strongly recommend that you watch the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. If you’ve never had an opportunity to do so, this is my #1 recommendation for DC visitors. Day or night, rain or shine, you can watch one Sentinel from the U.S. Army’s Old Guard march with precision, integrity, and solemn duty. Of all of DC’s many sight-seeing opportunities, this costs nothing and requires no reservation. Most importantly, it’s an incredibly moving experience that you may never forget.

You don’t have to visit this Veterans Day, Monday the 11th, but pledge to yourself to one day honor the sacrifices of millions of veterans by seeing The Changing of The Guard at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

For details visit: www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/explore/changing-of-the-guard

As for DCI Group, we’re thankful for the men and women who have served to protect and defend our freedom – and we’re especially proud to have one of our own – Dave Vasquez – out serving today. And we look forward to his safe return home.