S-N Editorial

Today marks our annual celebration of the men and women who so selflessly served the country as members of the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is an important holiday, and one that every freedom-loving American should acknowledge.

Sometimes it's easy to ignore occasions like this one. People are busy, work is hectic and there's just simply too much else going on. However, all of those excuses seem futile when you really stop and think about it. Our veterans gave us a commitment that's almost impossible to fathom. They sacrificed time, safety, emotional well-being and many other things to serve the country they love, and that's certainly commendable.

We were reminded of our service men and women's perilous duty full force this year. With the end of America's longest war winding down in Afghanistan, our country's bravest were charged with overseeing a difficult and hectic withdrawal. It wasn't what anyone had in mind when we first engaged terrorists there two decades ago. Thousands died during our 20-year stay, and more perished during our exit. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten.

O'Brien and Clay counties, and pretty much all of Iowa for that matter, are home to many veterans who gave us their all. Each day we bump into these individuals without even knowing it. Many would prefer to remain humble and stay out of the limelight, but it's imperative we show our appreciation when the opportunity presents itself. Veterans Day provides us with an excellent platform to express that gratitude.

We're losing them, too. It's not likely you'll find many World War II or Korean War vets around these days – the sands of time are simply dwindling their numbers. To a lesser extent, the same situation is true for Vietnam War veterans. Their service was decades ago, but it still very much means something. We all owe them a great debt of gratitude for their selflessness.

Please take the time and show your appreciation to a veteran this week. Attend a community program, buy them a coffee or just simply shake their hand. They've shown their dedication to our country through the sacrifice of military service. The least you can do is tell them you noticed.