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Father, Son Successfully Lobby For Veterans Day Moment Of Silence

WESTON (CBS) - Like all Veterans Day ceremonies, speeches were made, wreaths were placed on a memorial and Gold Star families laid flowers in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this nation.

But for 67-year-old Peter Bendetson of Weston and his son Daniel, this Veterans Day had a very special moment. For the first time on Veterans Day, a two-minute moment of silence took place in many ceremonies across the nation.

It's an idea Peter and Daniel came up with six years ago but made into law this year.

Peter Bendetson
Daniel and Peter Bendetson (WBZ-TV)

"We've been to Washington 22 times, we've had 654 meetings, we have been repeatedly told hundreds of times, 'great idea but it will never happen in America,'" Bendetson said. "So it's amazing it has happened and how the House and Senate passed it and the president signed it on October 7th."

To honor their efforts Peter and his son were asked by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to take part in the Veterans Day ceremony in Washington DC with President Obama. "It was a bit emotional for our family after six years and thinking about our grandparents who had served," Daniel said.

For the Veterans Day ceremony in Boston, the moment silence gave Sara Orlando time to think about her younger brother, 20-year-old Peter Orlando of the United States Marine Corp, who died in 2002.

"It's good to have the community come together and the world not to know what their service means," Orlando said.

For Peter and Daniel, it's a dream come true, but not for themselves, it's for those who gave their lives.

"We are proud to be here to represent the veterans and see the idea grow," Daniel said.

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