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Veterans Day, Every Day

Posted 11/12/21

Yesterday was Veterans Day, a time when we pause each year to remember all of the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Although it’s just one day, it brings …

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Veterans Day, Every Day

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Yesterday was Veterans Day, a time when we pause each year to remember all of the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Although it’s just one day, it brings with it a sentiment that we can carry with us throughout the entire year - it’s a time when we remember what is best about America.

When you watch the news or go on social media lately it’s not hard to find out about all the things that divide us. But we have much more in common than it might seem, even these days.

Veterans Day is a time to remember what unites us as Americans. We can recall the shared values for which so many have put on a uniform to defend.

Our annual “salute to veterans” that appeared in our Tuesday, November 9 edition puts a face to just some of those who have served our country. They come from different backgrounds and different generations, but their commitment is the same.

We see many of the same friendly faces when we attend Veterans Day services each year. This year’s services were held in Woodbourne, Bethel, Eldred, Monticello, Neversink, Summitville and Wurtsboro. Check out the Sullivan County Democrat on Tuesday to see our coverage of many of those events.

Each year we are reminded of the passing of time. We can remember faces who attended ceremonies for many years and are no longer with us. Each year there are fewer members of the generation who fought in World War II. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, around 240,329 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still with us in 2021.

Many of us can remember a parent or grandparent who served during that war. It’s not hard to imagine a day when there are no more living memories of that time.

We can still honor their service and their memory by ensuring we support younger generations of veterans. We have a huge and enduring responsibility toward the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

We must support agencies and organizations that assist veterans to ensure that they and their families receive the benefits they are entitled to.

It’s easy to simply thank veterans for their service, but actions speak louder than words. The best thing we can do is work to preserve what they fought to defend.

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