Central Kentucky residents gathered on Wednesday at Camp Nelson National Cemetery for the annual Veterans Day ceremony, a tradition that celebrates the service of United States military men and women from every era.

Local history and national sacrifice

Park Ranger Steve Phan opened the program by describing how Camp Nelson, originally a Union Army supply depot and hospital during the Civil War, grew into one of the largest training centers for African American soldiers. According to the National Park Service, more than 10,000 enslaved African American men escaped to the camp, many with family members, seeking freedom and a chance to fight for the Union.

Phan then honored veterans of later conflicts, specifically mentioning the Vietnam War. He paid tribute to both U.S. and South Vietnamese service members and their families, saying, “I humbly pay tribute to the veterans of the Vietnam War, especially U.S. and South Vietnamese military personnel and their families. I would not be here without them, without you, and I bow my head in gratitude.”

Personal connections bring history to life

During the ceremony, a visitor introduced herself as a descendant of one of the African American soldiers Phan had highlighted. Phan called the encounter “one of the most powerful connections experiences I’ve ever had,” underscoring how the cemetery continues to link present‑day families with the sacrifices of the past.

Phan also shared his own family story. His father, a veteran of the South Vietnamese Navy, fled Vietnam in 1975 and later settled in Denver, Colorado, where he met Phan’s mother. The couple’s marriage and three children, Phan said, embody “the American dream.” He became emotional at the ceremony’s close, reflecting on his father’s journey and the broader refugee experience that Camp Nelson also represents.

Community partnership and future education

The event was co‑hosted by the Central Kentucky Veterans Committee, which works with the national cemetery to honor more than 16 million U.S. service members. After the ceremony, Phan emphasized that Camp Nelson’s educational mission extends beyond Veterans Day. He regularly guides visitors through the site’s history, aiming to help people understand where the nation has come from and where it is headed.

“I think it’s a great way to bring people together, right, to understand where we came from and where we need to go moving forward,” Phan said, highlighting the cemetery’s role as a place of remembrance, learning, and community unity.

Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.