Our View: Veterans Day observance is important

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Every Nov. 11, United States citizens observe Veterans Day. On that day we recognize the contributions of our nation’s military veterans – those who served in both war and peace, stateside and abroad.

The local ceremony is at the St. Croix County Government Center, Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. This year’s speaker is St. Croix County Veteran Service Officer Merlin Blaisdell.

When we think about the sacrifice made by veterans, it is overwhelming. The cost of freedom is anything but free. Veterans Day gives all Americans an opportunity to take a clear look at our past and present, while pondering the future.

On Nov. 11 we honor our veterans for their unwavering service and sacrifice. We commemorate, acknowledge and affirm the contributions made by our veterans to secure the liberties we continue to enjoy. These men and women readily accepted the responsibility of being our caretakers and defenders of freedom.

Today we are still a country at war. Hundreds of thousands of our nation’s best and brightest young men and women have volunteered to place themselves in harm’s way. It’s up to us to also recognize the debt of gratitude to these future veterans.

Members of the armed forces from active, guard and reserve units are being asked to serve in conflicts abroad in Afghanistan and Iraq. Like the veterans who have served in earlier wars and conflicts, today’s defenders of freedom are deserving of our respect and gratitude.

Our troops depend upon our unwavering support. We must give nothing less.

George Orwell once said, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

Today we pay tribute to those brave men and women who were willing to fight on our behalf. We pray for our troops in battle today and express our gratitude to the veterans who fought in previous battles.

God bless America!

Tags: opinion, hudson, editorial, veterans_day