For Virginia Quitania-Echon of Bremerton, Veterans Day last week was both happy and sad.

Happy, because of all the memories she has of her husband and children all of whom have served in the U.S. Military.

And sad, because she lost her daughter, Marianne, six years ago on Veterans Day. Her daughter died very unexpectedly of a heart aortic condition.

To honor Marianne and others in the family who have served, Virginia’s daughter Cathy Quitania-Pool of Tombal, Texas, made a collage of photos of family members in uniform.

Included are her father Eufemiano, sister Marianna, brother Michael, daughter Natalie, husband Jocks, and Cathy, herself, who also served.

Cathy was in the Army for four years, and so was her husband. Her daughter is now carrying on the family tradition, and began this summer at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Marianne, who was 39 when she died, served in the Army as did her husband, Pete Kilpatrick, who now lives in Arizona.

Cathy’s brother Michael is career Army and is Battalion Commander of the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Her father spent more than 20 years in the Navy. His work took him from Annapolis to San Diego, to Bremerton in 1976 where he and Virginia settled.

“Military service was just part of us,” she said. “Myself, my brother and my sister went into the military to be able to go to college. We always thought we’d end up in the Navy like Dad, but we all were Army instead.”

Hearing all the stories of service throughout her life is what Cathy thinks influenced her daughter to think about the military.

And now that her daughter is in the Navy, Cathy said it feels good.

“With my sister having planned to go to Annapolis, and now my daughter is there, it’s like it’s come full circle.”

Cathy’s mother is just plain proud.

“I am especially proud of all of you for your dedicated service to our country — with all your heart and soul,” said Virginia, after seeing the collage.