Honoring veterans particularly timely

What an appropriate time for a daylong celebration of veterans.

Dr. Joel Ray, a local brain surgeon, already had scheduled the Generations in Valor event for Oct. 24 at the Show Me Center when the Sept. 11 acts of terrorism shook our nation.

As we face the possibility of a conflict that will create modern-day war veterans, it is appropriate that we look back to honor the men and women who made sacrifices for our freedom today. They include Ray's father and three uncles who fought in World War II. One uncle died in the Battle of Midway.

Veterans will address the group, and Ray hopes schoolchildren and all others will come to learn from them.

The event also provides another chance for us to come together as a community, something we need during this turbulent time.