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Show Guest editorial i By MILES S. EPLING National Commander The American Legion Today, the United States is experiencing ex-periencing a remarkable time of peace and decreased international tension. Whenever that happens, it is easy to forget that the peace we enjoy, the freedoms we take for granted, and the liberties we treasure so much have been guaranteed guar-anteed for more than 200 years by men and women who have served with honor in the uniform of our country. They are honored every Nov.-11, Veterans Day, a holiday established by Congress. Each of us needs to pause on this Veterans Day weekend week-end to think about what service to our country means. We do not honor only those who died for their country, although we surely do honor them. The purpose of Veterans Vet-erans Day is to celebrate the part of our national character that has motivated millions of our best and brightest young men and women to put their national lives ahead of their personal ones. Few countries in the world could ever staff a military without a draft or other form of compulsory service. ser-vice. The United Sates has since the mid-1970's. . . Few other countries can look at an all volunteer force with the pride this country does. As citizens we rest assured that the military is there, and when they are needed, they will serve. It is, perhaps, our faith in our defense that causes us to forget the country's sons and daughters are serving without much fanfare in spots from Maine to the DMZ in Korea. They serve aboard aircraft carriers and at remote missile locations loca-tions every day and night The fact that we are able to devote our time and attention to our peaceful pursuits pur-suits without much thought to their service is a sign that they are doing their jobs well. In wartime this nation has a great tradition of appreciating military service. Now that we do not have the horrible specter of war threatening threaten-ing so much, should we not feel the same? Our veterans have paid for our security with their toil," their blood and sometimes their lives. By our observance of this Veterans Day, let us show our acknowledgment and appreciation of their service and sacrifice. |