VETERANS DAY: A chance to say thanks

Each year Nov. 11, we honor all living Veterans. Those who served in war and those who served in peace. Those who saw combat and those who provided support. All have played a key role in protecting our Nation.

It is easy to take our Freedoms for granted. The right to speak freely, to vote for the candidate of our choice, and to pursue happiness are all possible because Veterans served and sacrificed to protect them. Some returned home with mental and physical scars that last a lifetime. 

Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to say “Thank you” in a meaningful way. But it is not just about the past but also the future. Each time we honor Veterans, we show younger generations the value of service and sacrifice.  We remind ourselves that Freedom comes at a serious and continuing cost.  

Veterans Day is much more than a tradition — it is a reminder that Freedom is NOT free and that we each owe those who served and sacrificed a debt of gratitude. We also need to remember the 142,000 members of our Armed Forces who are currently deployed in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia on the ground, on the sea, and in the air, continuing to ensure our Freedoms. 

LEN CROSBY 

Vietnam Veteran

Post Falls