Army National Guard Spc. Derrick Verge, of Aurora, carries the U.S. flag with the Oak Park police honor guard during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Nineteenth Century Club on Nov. 11, 2022, in Oak Park. (John Konstantaras/for the Pioneer Press)
Chicago Tribune | Letters Published: Nov 11, 2023
On Nov. 11, 1918, an armistice was signed, ending World War I. That war was to be “the war to end all wars.”
However, it was not long until that dream became a nightmare with the advent of World War II, followed by the Korean War, the Vietnam War, 9/11, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Veterans decided to live a life of sacrifice and service for the benefit of America. On Veterans Day and every day, we not only honor their service, but we also remember their great sacrifices.
Veterans chose to endure long separations from their families, freezing in subzero temperatures, sweating in the deserts of the world, sacrificing their health and far too often losing their lives so that we can be safe. Our veterans have helped make our nation the greatest force for peace on the face of the earth. America’s veterans and those serving today have stood in the way of our enemies. Their strength has been a signal to other nations that we stand ready to defend our freedom.
As a nation and as individuals, we must honor the men and women of the military, present and past, who have made our world better. There’s no one more deserving of our gratitude and respect than those who have served in the military.
We must never forget the service of our veterans, and, as a nation, we must learn to keep our promises made to them and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
God bless America, our veterans and all of you.
– Mike Formento, commander, American Legion Post 3, Glen Ellyn