Why Veterans Should be Honored

ALL>> This Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 2016 at 1:30 p.m in the City of Grand Terrace the family members, current veterans and citizens will remember all of the memories of past veterans and present veterans who have served our country valiantly. Many times as member of the Veterans Wall of Freedom committee, I have been asked "why have you spent so much time on building this monument for the veterans in this town when there are so many other sites that provide the same service?" The answer is simple as is provided by an essay from a young woman who responded to a Patriots Pen contest back in 2009 sponsored by the VFW and auxiliary. This essay showcased in the Pilot Tribune confirms why we honor our veterans from Michaela McDonald; “American veterans should be honored for helping our country have so many rights and freedoms. Our rights as Americans have been preserved each time brave men and women fight for us. Veterans protected our freedom of the press, freedom of speech and every other right in the Constitution. One of the rights that my family and I enjoy is to be able to worship and pray together as Christians. I have learned that in some countries, people cannot openly practice their religion or they are persecuted for it. When I was at youth group, we learned that many countries don’t have these rights. It makes me very proud that our veterans have fought for this right for us. We should honor our veterans for letting us have freedom of religion. Veterans have gone through so much for our country. Men and women all over our country have had to leave their families. Many have returned with injuries, and some have been killed and have lost being able to go back home with their families. Many of our veterans have battle scars from the war and they should be honored for that. Our country started out small with fewer rights but our military and veterans are still willing to do our country a great favor. Without veterans who have fought in the wars we wouldn’t have a great country like we do. We even sing patriotic songs in their name such as the National Anthem which is “The Star Spangled Banner” and we say the Pledge of Allegiance. So, I think all veterans of our country should be honored every day, for giving opportunities and freedom, with a gold award.” So to reinforce what Michaela is saying, I believe we should honor our veterans by having an engraved plaque with the veterans name, rank, unit and time spent in service for our country placed on the Veterans Wall of Freedom in Grand Terrace. Remember those who have given so you could live in a free nation. [END]