Never forget

11/17/2009

A week ago tomorrow, veterans, their families and those wishing to pay them homage gathered throughout northwest Kansas and the nation to offer thanks.

Against a background of red, white and blue, honor guards fired their shots, tears were shed, stories were told.

Brave soldiers serving from World War II to the ongoing War on Terror were, if only for a day, the stars of the show, and rightfully so.

Only a few days later, most thoughts already were turning to the looming holiday season -- and Veterans Day was done.

While it might be cliche to offer "Every day should be Veterans Day," there is some value in the thought.

We must continue to give the brave soldiers who paid so dearly for our freedom while they remain to hear our praise -- a mantra preached and practiced by Golden Corral, which annually offers free meals to veterans and active duty military at their Hays restaurant on Mopar Drive, and to the area Boy Scouts who showed their respect by volunteering at the event Monday.

Of the 16 million American soldiers who served during World War II, only 2.3 million remain living, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Only 2.3 million of the 5.7 million who served during Korea are still with us.

And for those who served during the tumultuous Vietnam era, stood witness to failed policy and our collective failure as a nation to give them their due respect upon returning home, wounds have healed, but scars remain.

More recently, American soldiers have been focused upon the Middle East, where a new breed of danger has shaken the globe.

Once again, the soldiers who make up the military might of the United States are first on the front line.

From bases around the world to the soldiers stationed right here in northwest Kansas, each one deserves a tip of the hat. No one knows how the world would look without their sacrifices, but it certainly would be a different place.

So, as you and yours begin preparations for a Thanksgiving feast, holiday travel, presents under the tree, remember to keep veterans in your thoughts.

And, next time you see an active-duty soldier, offer a handshake or a simple "Thank you." More than anything, our warriors of today need to know we stand with them just as we stood with the heroes who protected our freedom in the generations that came before.

Editorial by Ron Fields

rfields@dailynews.net