When there is no war – or no blockbuster movie starring Tom Hanks – few people remember the veterans who fought for their freedom, let alone the holiday.

Thursday, November 11, 1999

When there is no war – or no blockbuster movie starring Tom Hanks – few people remember the veterans who fought for their freedom, let alone the holiday.

Some might speak glowingly of the contribution the war veterans made in service to their country, but there are fewer and fewer people who really understand just what that sacrifice meant.

For the World War I and World War II soldiers, fighting for their country meant enduring long months away from home, witnessing the devastation and suffering caused by the invaders and suffering wounds or loss of life themselves. Back home, families waited, worried and hoped.

Later, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War soldiers would fight in lands quite different from their own, against enemies that were even tougher to understand – and for causes they might not have completely understood or accepted.

And today’s veterans from the Gulf War are still dealing with the consequences of their battles in the Middle East.

No matter how we feel about war, we should have nothing less than admiration and respect for the men and women who have given their lives in service to their country. There is no greater gift – whether they came home alive or not.

Today is the day to pay homage to those who fought for our freedom – and that begins by simply remembering.