APhA holds first Veterans Day ceremony in renovated headquarters

Pharmacy veterans in all service areas honored

A special ceremony held today in the rotunda of the newly renovated APhA headquarters building honored federal pharmacists as well as those who have served their profession and their country in the armed forces.

The ceremony, held indoors because of rain, opened with a welcome from Elizabeth K. Keyes, APhA Chief Business Officer and Senior Vice President, Business Strategy and Operations, followed by the national anthem and the presentation of the colors by the Forestville Military Academy Color Guard.

APhA Executive Vice President and CEO Thomas E. Menighan then addressed attendees, mentioning the origin of Veterans Day and the recent killings at Fort Hood, TX. He said, “Today as we reflect on and honor the sacrifices and selfless service of all veterans of all wars and all veterans who currently serve, or who have ever served, our nation is particularly shocked with the senseless and unexplained tragedy that occurred this past week.”

George Griffenhagen, APhA historian, then spoke about his experiences as an engineer in Sicily and Germany during World War II. He was a member of the 20th Combat Engineer Battalion and toured for 2.5 years in 13 different countries. One week after he had received an alumnus award at Fort Hood from the 20th Engineers, Griffenhagen heard about the killings that felled 13 and wounded 30 more. He was shocked to learn that the greatest proportion of those killed and wounded were from the 20th Engineers.

Griffenhagen closed with a prayer for the men and women who have served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm, “as well as the thousands who daily perform their lonely and demanding missions in the far-away corners of Iraq and Afghanistan.” The ceremony ended with laying of a wreath in front of the flags.

Carli Richard (crichard@aphanet.org), Pharmacy Today 
Posted November 11, 2009, 5: 00 pm EST