Remember the sacrifices they made

He was greeted with a boisterous reception when he returned home from World War II.

He didn't come back to fanfare and parades after the Korean War.

He got dirty looks, shouts of anger, and worse when he came back after Vietnam.

He did get a pat on the back and a shake of the hand after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

She did get a smile and an embrace for her efforts during the war.

The receptions our men and women have received upon leaving military service are varied. Even as they grappled with their own emotions upon returning home, our veterans have experienced a range of public displays, depending on the political climate at the time their service ended.

Some have been publicly thanked, others have been recognized, some have been ostracized.

For many, they try not to think about those days, months and years, of what they saw, of what they lost, of what they experienced.

Often failing for words, a number of veterans often find it hard to share those memories of so long ago and for some, so recent.

As a nation, a state, a town, a community, a people, we will come together on Veterans Day to step up and say thank you for your service and for your sacrifice to those who have risked everything.

It's the least we can do.

Locally, parades, visits, dinners, assemblies and exhibits pay homage to the sacrifice of those who served and those who serve today across the globe.

These memorials for our veterans, both in word and in stone, are a testament to their loyalty and dedication to this country and its ideals. All have made and are still making the sacrifice to serve so that we can pursue our dreams and enjoy our freedoms.

During this time of appreciation and reflection, let's make sure we let our men and women who have served and who serve today know how much we appreciate their commitment to us and their dedication to duty.

Take part in the veterans' observances, send what you can to the various Support our Troops efforts organized in our hometown, and remember to say thank you -- not just today but every day.

For history tells us that they and us will be needed again, to sacrifice, to remember, and to honor those who served in the past and those who serve today and will serve tomorrow.