Col. Douglas LeVien, deputy commander of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard salute after placing a wreath Nov. 10, 2021, during the unit’s Veterans Day observance at Panzer Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The U.S. Army’s 21st Theater Sustainment Command observed Veterans Day in a ceremony Wednesday at its Panzer Kaserne headquarters, specifically recognizing veterans who rendered exemplary service in two major crises this year.
Col. Douglas LeVien, the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s deputy commander, speaks at the unit’s Veterans Day observance at Panzer Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Nov. 10, 2021. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
With a color guard standing in front of a line of state flags on the parade ground, unit deputy commander Col. Douglas LeVien began by recognizing the veterans in attendance.
LeVien then focused on veterans who defended the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6. He mentioned Reps. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Jason Crow of Colorado, along with Capitol Police officers Eugene Goodman and Brian Sicknick, who died in the line of duty.
The 21st Theater Sustainment Command color guard stands on the parade field during the unit’s Veterans Day observance at Panzer Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Nov. 10, 2021. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
He went on to mention the veterans who volunteered to help Afghan refugees in Europe and in the U.S. during and after the chaotic mass evacuations following the Taliban’s return to power.
Following his speech, LeVien and Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard placed a wreath at a memorial on the edge of the parade ground that honors veterans from the unit who died in combat.
Soldiers listen to the national anthems of the United States and Germany during the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s Veterans Day observance at Panzer Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Nov. 10, 2021. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, to mark the Nov. 11, 1918, end of World War I. It has been called Veterans Day since 1954.
In honor of all veterans, the song of each of the six services was played to end the ceremony.
Soldiers sing “The Army Song” at the end of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s Veterans Day observance at Panzer Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Nov. 10, 2021. In honor of veterans, all six service songs were played. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
