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On Veterans Day, Chesapeake residents gather to offer gratitude and respect to more than 676K Virginia vets

Former Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer Janet Days said, "We owe you our freedom."

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — According to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, the Commonwealth is home to more than 676,000 military veterans. Many of them, of course, live in Hampton Roads.

At a Veterans Day gathering in Chesapeake, the Mayor's Commission on Veterans Affairs featured a speech from a keynote speaker, former Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer, Captain Janet Days.

"We owe you our thanks, we you our respect, and we owe youour freedom," she said.

Veterans who spoke to 13News Now offered varying views on what Veterans Day means to them.

"It's about the families, as far as I'm concerned. The veterans, yeah, we sacrificed. But our families, I think, sacrificed even more," said Navy veteran Ray Weber.

"I always remember Dad. My Dad was Army. So [Veterans Day] just gives me a time to sit back, remembering him and everybody else that took time to defend what's right and everything right about the country. That's what I always remember," said Navy veteran Kevin Bailey.

"I think it's incredibly important to honor those that served so we can sleep at night. I'm no longer serving, but I know I can rest well because we have the greatest military in the world, said Navy veteran Denise Robinson.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also weighed in on the importance of Veterans Day.

In a statement, he said: "You have defended our freedoms, protected our democracy, and shown us all the true meaning of patriotism. We are forever grateful."

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