Thanking veterans: Remember their service

Today we honor America's veterans. A day set aside to remember the sacrifice made by men and women, and countless families, who served the U.S. in war and during peacetime.

The men and women in uniform are a special group of people. As we gather with friends and family later this month for Thanksgiving and next month for Christmas and New Year's, there will members of the armed forces who are away from family. But it's more than missing a holiday. They also miss birthdays and other special occasions.

We are grateful and hope you will pause with us to thank our nation's veterans on this Veterans Day.

There will be special events locally today to mark the day. We encourage you to consider attending.

The following is our annual editorial tribute to veterans, "In Flanders Field."

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

-- Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D. (1872-1918), Canadian Army