Alexandria Veterans Day Ceremony Held By Friends Of Rocky Versace

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The City of Alexandria and Friends of Rocky Versace will host the 17th annual Veterans Day Ceremony Saturday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. at the statue of one of Del Ray's most recognized veterans. The ceremony takes place at the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue.

The one-hour, indoor ceremony honors Capt. Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient, Ranger Hall of Fame inductee, Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment, Distinguished Member of The Old Guard Regiment and Del Ray resident. Versace was taken as a Prisoner of War and was executed by the Viet-Cong, reportedly while loudly singing "God Bless America." He was posthumously given the Medal of Honor in 2002, the first time an Army POW received the nation's highest honor for actions in captivity.

The 66 other Alexandria residents who died during the Vietnam War and all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in attendance will also be honored.

Versace's statue outside the Mount Vernon Recreation Center also pays tribute to the 66 other Alexandrians who died during the Vietnam War and other veterans. The Friends of Rocky Versace raised money to dedicate the Capt. Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in 2002, a day before Versace was awarded the Medal of Honor.

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