"I knew several names on that wall who were very, very personal friends to me," said Captain Eddie Jenkins, at the opening day ceremonies for the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens in Brandon, Fla. He added: "Give a pause in silence to remember those who have made the supreme sacrifice."

Jenkins, who retired from the U.S. Navy, concluded his remarks by saying: "It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. So the next time you see a veteran you know and within your vicinity I ask that you give him or her a hug and thank them for a job well done."

"I knew several names on that wall who were very, very personal friends to me," said Captain Eddie Jenkins, at the opening day ceremonies for the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens in Brandon, Fla. He added: "Give a pause in silence to remember those who have made the supreme sacrifice."

Jenkins, who retired from the U.S. Navy, concluded his remarks by saying: "It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. So the next time you see a veteran you know and within your vicinity I ask that you give him or her a hug and thank them for a job well done."