“ Thank you for fighting so selflessly to protec t our f reedom in the U.S. and the f reedom of v ulnerable people all over the world”.
“ Thank you for your courage, dedication and for keeping u s safe at home and abroad!”
James L. Ptak
Branch: Navy Years of service: 3 (1964-1967)
Squadron: HC1-Squadron 4th Class Aviation Jet Mechanic Served in Okinawa, Japan
John Stubbs
Army Sgt. Vietnam 1969-1971
Walter H Kowalski
US Army Sp-4 585 Ordinance Supply 1965-1967 Naha, Okinawa
Robert L Istnick
Air Force Captain 11 years
Kenneth G Pelch
Served in the USMC 1968-1972 in Force Recon, served two tours in Vietnam. Now a member of the Marine League in Interlochen and an Adult Volunteer staff member of the Traverse City Young Marines. Also a lifetime member of the VFW, was guest speaker at the Marine Birthday last November, 2023 at the VFW in Traverse City
Jesus Sanchez
Jess served 22.5 years in the US Navy. Since retirement he continuously gives to the community. Whether it be delivering with his wife with Lap Robes for Veterans in local nursing homes, helping with the Veterans Memorial at the Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds or helping his daughter and granddaughter get to 4H meetings, events or practices.
Gary H. Rankin
For serving in Vietnam to defend our country
US Army SP/5 192nd Finance Section Vietnam 1966-67
John W. Dieckman
US Armed Forces Naval Dept. April 28, 1948 to March 24, 1952 Personnelman, Second Class
Served on: USNAV Supply Depot, Bayonne, New Jersey (station) and USS A.A. Cunningham, USNRS, USNS, San Diego, California (vessel)
Served in the Army and stationed in Japan from Arcadia, Michigan.
John Clifton
Gary Clifton
United States Navy E-4 1966-1970
Edward Cote
Branch army. Staff Sargent 2 years. Was awarded silver star and two bronze stars.
James A. Muszynski
E-4 5th Infantry Recon Vietnam, Grim Reaper
David Coffin
USMC E-4 1966-1969
Kurt Edenburn
Served in The United States Army with the 1st Infantry Division Black Lions . Vietnam War
Christopher Myer
I’m honoring my boyfriend Chris because he joined the Army right out of high school in 2015. He was a MP (Military Police) for 6 years until he was honorably discharge in 2021. While taking care of his family in Kentucky, after discharge he moved them back to Michigan. Now he is finishing college and will start the Police Academy next year. He is a hero because he continues to put others in front of him. He wants what is best for this county and his family & friends!
Harry Muszynski
Army Tech Sargeant-969 Engineers, D-Day landing
8 ways to honor veterans
Millions of people make considerable sacrifices to protect the freedoms of their fellow citizens. According to the Pew Research Center and data from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently more than 18 million living veterans in the United States. The 2021 Census counted 461,240 veterans in Canada, according to Veterans Affairs Canada.
The term “veteran” refers to a person who served in the active military, naval, air service, or space service and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. In the U.S., there are actually five types of protected veterans, according to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. Under VEVRAA, a veteran may be classified as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, or Armed Forces service medal veteran.
Veterans deserve respect and admiration all year long, but also get their own holiday each November. Veterans Day celebrates veterans’ patriotism and willingness to sacrifice and serve. This Veterans Day, people can consider these eight unique ways to honor the veterans in their community.
1. Attend events. Organize or participate in local Veterans Day celebrations, such as parades and ceremonial events.
2. Get involved with veterans’ affairs. Support veterans by volunteering with organizations that assist them, such as the VA, local veteran’s groups, VA hospitals, or charities dedicated to veteran services.
3. Petition for veteran speakers. Reach out to schools, scout troops or other groups and arrange opportunities for veterans to share their stories and contributions. Learning about the sacrifices these men and women made can heighten individuals’ appreciation for veterans.
4. Support the families of veterans. Reach out to veterans’ families, who also must make sacrifices and concessions. Anything from shopping, babysitting, doing chores, or making a meal can help the families of veterans.
5. Make a donation. If finances allow, make contributions to reputable charities that provide services for veterans like those that offer mental health counseling or job placement services. If there isn’t a
6. Hire veterans to work. If you are a business owner or hiring manager, consider hiring veterans for open positions at your company. It can be challenging to re-enter the workforce after service, so make it known that your firm welcomes veterans.
7. Offer personal acknowledgements. Take the time to speak to veterans and thank them for their service. If possible, when dining out, ask the server if you can pay for the meal of a veteran who also is dining that day.
8. Don’t forget the fallen veterans. Although Memorial Day is designed to honor those who lost their lives through military service, people still can honor the fallen veterans on Veterans Day by sharing stories or placing flags at veteran cemeteries.
Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11, marking an opportunity to express one’s gratitude and support for the scores of veterans who have served honorably.
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FAQ about Veterans Day
Each November, millions of people recognize the service and sacrifice of military veterans on Veterans Day. Initially commemorated as Armistice Day but renamed Veterans Day in the United States in 1954, the holiday is a federal holiday throughout the country.
The first Armistice Day was observed in 1919. Despite that lengthy history, the general public may still have questions about Veterans Day.
When is Veterans Day observed?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of which day of the week that happens to be. In 2024, Veterans Day is Monday, November 11.
Why is November 11 so significant?
November 11 is a significant day in world history because it marks the signing of the armistice between the Allies of World War I and Germany at 5:45 a.m. on November 11, 1918. Though the formal peace treaty, the Treaty of Versailles, was not signed until 1919 and hostilities between the sides continued for hours after the armistice was signed, the day is still viewed as the end of World War I.
What distinguishes Veterans Day from Memorial Day?
The VA notes that Veterans Day honors all
those individuals who served honorably in the miliary during both wartime and peacetime. Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who lost their lives in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.
What is the significance of red poppies?
Red poppies are ubiquitous on Memorial Day, but they’re also visible on Veterans Day. Though it’s not taboo to wear red poppies on Veterans Day, it’s a tradition that aligns more with Memorial Day. That’s because the poppies are typically worn to honor fallen military personnel. A 1915 poem written by a Canadian Lieutenant Colonel named John McCrae referred to the fields of poppies growing around the graves of World War I soldiers in Flanders.
Do other countries honor their military veterans?
Many countries across the globe honor their military veterans, and many do so on November 11 as well. For example, Canadians and Australians observe Remembrance Day in honor of their nation’s respective veterans on November 11. Great Britain observes Remembrance Day on the Sunday nearest to November 11.
Veterans Day is a day to honor and commemorate the brave men and women who have honorably served in the U.S. military during wartime and peacetime.
How to show your support for Veterans
Supporting veterans is a worthy endeavor at any time of year, though such efforts tend to be more prominent in November. Veterans Day is celebrated annually on November 11 in honor of the millions of individuals across the United States who are military veterans. The day coincides with holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other countries and also honor military veterans.
There’s no denying that veterans need the support of the people whose freedoms they protect. According to a 2021 study from researchers at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, the percentage of veterans with disabilities is significantly higher among post-9/11 veterans (40 percent) than it was with veterans from previous eras (25 percent for Gulf War I veterans and 13 percent for veterans of previous wars). Veterans can benefit from support legislated by elected officials in Washington, D.C., but there’s also many things ordinary citizens can do to show how much they appreciate the sacrifices veterans and their families have made and will make in the years to come.
• Visit wounded veterans.
The United States Census Bureau reports that more than one-third of the nearly 3.8 million men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since September 2001 have a service-connected disability. Many of these individuals are fighting to overcome physical injuries sustained while on active duty. Individuals who want to show their support for veterans can contact their local VA facility to arrange a visit to wounded veterans. Such visits can lift veterans’ spirits and reassure them that their sacrifices are both acknowledged and appreciated.
• Support legislation that supports veterans.
Though it might seem like a no-brainer,
legislation to support veterans often faces an uphill battle to get passed. By supporting legislation that ensures veterans get the support they need, individuals can send a message to veterans that they haven’t been forgotten and that the very democratic principles they fought to protect are alive and well. Citizens can write letters to their elected officials, urging them to support veteran-friendly legislation, and raise awareness of bills and laws through social media.
• Help raise awareness about homeless veterans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that approximately 40,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. But that figure doesn’t tell the whole story, as the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans notes that, over the course of a year, roughly twice that many veterans experience homelessness. The NCHV believes that programs to assist homeless veterans should focus on helping them reach a point where they can obtain and sustain gainful employment. In addition, the NCHV feels that the most effective programs are community-based, nonprofit, “veterans helping veterans” groups. Individuals can offer their support to such groups through financial donations or other means so they can continue to ensure no veteran sleeps on the street.
Veterans Day is a time to show veterans that their service and sacrifices are not taken for granted. Visiting wounded veterans and supporting efforts to ensure veterans get what they need to live full, healthy and happy lives is a great way to send the message that veterans are appreciated.
Thank you to our Readers for submitting the Veterans highlighted in this section!
