By NeverKnow Sabtu, 12 November 2011 0 comments

Tomb of The Unknown Soldier

President Obama honored veterans Friday by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, marks the 90th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Having been killed during World War I in France, his unidentified body was interred at Arlington Cemetery outside of Washington, DC, to stand as a symbolic memorial for the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

The BSM is a military support group dedicated to supporting the troops and assisting the mothers and their families. It was founded in 1942 and chartered by Congress in 1960. However, the tradition of recognizing mothers of children in military service goes as far back as 1918.

Cervantes, who co-founded the South Bay BSM in 2004, now serves as the National Chaplain. Linda Bayer, a mom of two sons in the Air Forces and Santa Clara resident, is the National Patriotic Instructor. Bayer's grateful for her sons' sacrifice.

"This experience would not be possible for me had my sons not joined the military," she said. "It's such an honor to be a mom and to represent them and others at a national level. It's truly emotional to be there."

Both moms explained that only about 1 percent of the U.S. population currently serves in the military, which means that most people do not have direct contact with someone who does. According to President Barack Obama, in his speech after the wreath laying, 3 million people have worn the uniform in the past ten years.

That's why acknowledging the effort of their children on Veterans Day is so important for Bayer and Cervantes, Tomb of The Unknown Soldier.

"Tomb of The Unknown Soldier Not many people recognize the military holidays until you are the mother of someone in the military," Bayer said. "When someone in your household is serving, you become more aware of the need to reflect in the service they've given to the country."