During the past week I had the privilege of attending numerous ceremonies in honor of our country's veterans. I heard wonderful speakers and outstanding music. The one thing that really got my attention was the children and teens. Students at our schools expended considerable effort in the preparation and presentation of the programs. The smaller children demonstrated unbridled enthusiasm such as we seldom see among adults. It was refreshing to see dozens of little hands waving flags and little mouths reciting the pledge of allegiance. We should all remember that in five years or 20 years or 40 years, some of those young people will be veterans. Let us hope that the next generation will honor those future veterans with an equal amount of enthusiasm.

As a veteran, I want to take this opportunity to thank each person involved in the ceremonies. Unfortunately, we live in a time when veterans and active duty military personnel are denigrated by powerful voices in this country. It was humbling to realize that real patriots still honor those who have served in the defense of this country.

Our county is home to men and women who served in every war since World War II. The greatest generation is represented here. The forgotten troops of the Korean War are here. The often despised Viet Nam veterans make up part of our population. Some of our folks are still serving and have experience in Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Still others are veterans of less famous battles and wars. Not every veteran or current military person has combat experience. Some still patrol the border between the Koreas. Some provide medical care far away from the fighting or did so in the past. Duties sometimes include keeping the communications lines running so that real time information is available to the troops. Some train young men and women to take their place along side the experienced military forces. Others know what it is like to cook for hundreds of others, every day. Regardless of the job or location, each and every one makes or made a contribution to the security of this country. Again, I thank every participant in the ceremonies held locally in honor of veterans.

I did observe one thing that disturbed me. It is common practice, when reciting the pledge of allegiance to pause between the words "one nation" and "under God." The official version, as approved by congress in 1954 does not contain a comma after the words "one nation." We should all relearn to say the pledge correctly, without that pause.

Another disturbing trend is the perception that Veterans Day is often viewed as just another day off work for government employees and bankers. Readers are probably aware that our local schools were in session on this past Monday as Veterans Day was to have been officially observed. In all likelihood, most veterans went to work on Monday if their job is in the private sector. The point is that many times veterans are less important to some than is the paid holiday for specific groups.

Ed Baldwin a staff writer for the Claiborne Progress. He can be reached via e-mail at ebaldwin@claiborneprogress.net.