Veterans Day tribute

Events Published on : 11/8/2011
The Pro Football Hall of Fame hosted the 11th annual Veterans Day Salute, Celebrating Our Nation's Heroes: A Tribute to Veterans and Active Duty Military on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.

Beginning at 9:00 a.m., all veterans, active military members, Gold Star families and Blue Star mothers received free admission to the Hall of Fame for the day. Veterans and active military members also were permitted to bring one guest or spouse to be admitted free of charge and a 10% discount in the Hall of Fame store. All museum visitors received a commemorative patriotic Hall of Fame pin in honor of our nation's heroes.

A special ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. in the Hall of Fame's NFL Films Theater. It opened with the presentation of the colors by a special honor guard from the American Legion, the singing of the National Anthem, the pledge of allegiance and an invocation. There was a special tribute to 1st Lt. Ashley White, a graduate of nearby Marlington High School and Kent State University, and Sgt. Daniel J. Patron, a 2003 Perry High School graduate, both of whom recently died while serving in Afghanistan. Several members of the Patron family were in attendance, one of whom gave a speech to honor her brother-in-law. The local Blue Star Mothers president also spoke at the event.

Colonel (Dr.) Benjamin Kulper, a 26-year Army Reserve veteran was the featured speaker at the event. Kulper's unit of assignment is Command Surgeon 99th Regional Support Command, as he has been deployed six times. Kulper, who is the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career, shared some of his experiences with the crowd.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of God Bless America and a benediction. Guests then toured the museum and visited a several booths set up by the United States Army and Survivor Outreach Support.

The 12th annual Veterans Day Salute will be held on Nov. 3, 2012.

See more pictures from the Veterans Day Salute on our Flickr page.