Veterans Day meant more this year

VETERANS DAY IS ALWAYS an emotional and moving occasion.

This year that was all the more so for many of us.

The day is always meaningful when American men and women are in harm’s way, fighting to defend our freedoms, as they are now in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Each year, we lose more and more of those who took up that same call in World War II, in Korea and in Vietnam. Their names are being added to the lengthy roll of those who have served and sacrificed.

That’s why it was especially fitting that, the weekend before Veterans Day, three Plymouth-area World War II vets — Flare Fredericksen, Norm Halloran and Joe Turicik — were among the latest group to take advantage of the Honor Flights program.

Honor Flights take World War II vets to Washington to visit the World War II memorial and to say thanks to them for their service while there is still a chance to thank them in person. It is, understandably, an emotional and memorable trip for all those involved, and a long-overdue tribute.

Tragically, another reminder of the hazards service members face every day was brought home — literally — less than a week before Veterans Day.

The shocking tragedy at Fort Hood emphasized once again the danger that our men and women in the Armed Forces are in constantly, although certainly none of us could ever have dreamed that this reminder would come in such a major way on an Army base on American soil.

It was especially poignant for those of us in eastern Wisconsin, as one of our own — Staff Sgt. Amy Krueger of Kiel — was among the 13 soldiers killed in that deadly shooting rampage.

Another local soldier — PFC Amy Bahr of Random Lake — demonstrated the courage, sacrifice and service that are so common among active service members and veterans. Despite being shot herself, she selflessly tried to save and defend her fellow soldiers in the midst of the deadly gunfire.

Those stories of sacrifice and heroism are a common thread among all of those who have served in the Armed Forces, in wartime and in peace, from the founding of our nation down to today. Every generation has heard the call, and every generation has answered the call with sacrifice and dedication.

For that, they deserve our heartfelt thanks and recognition — and not on just one or two days out of the year.

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