Nov 11, 2011 By Dennis Mckendry 3 min read

Every November we naturally think of Thanksgiving, and there is nothing wrong with that. After all, Americans have much to be thankful for as we are a society derived from righteousness and Judeo-Christian belief that all men are created equal. Therefore, our nation is abundantly blessed with equality, justice, liberty and freedoms found in no other nation.

This Friday, Nov. 11,  will be Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day. This is the only American holiday established to remember a specific moment in time. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the world rejoiced following four years of bitter war, World War I, with the signing of an armistice.

The war to end all wars was over … so we thought. Since then the name has changed to include veterans of the wars and conflicts that would follow.

As we prepare to commemorate Veterans Day, we proudly and gratefully acknowledge the sacrifice and hardships demanded from and faithfully accepted by the millions of men and women who have defended our nation, and continue to do so, in times of peace as well as in times of war.

Veteran’s Day is a reminder that we do have an obligation to safeguard the precious legacy of our founding fathers, a legacy of freedom, justice and liberty. This legacy forever commits the nation to preserve our sovereignty, respect our heritage, and instill in us the responsibility of good and faithful citizenship.

Freedom is America’s heart and can only be retained by eternal vigilance. This has always been the price for freedom. Freedom is never free.

As the great American patriot Thomas Paine said, “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must … undergo the fatigue of supporting it. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.”

What we remember and honor on Veteran’s Day are the brave men and women who believe(d) so much in an idea, and are (were) so possessed by the sense of duty and honor, that they are (were) willing to risk death for it. That idea of course is and always will be “freedom.”

American Legion Post 301 reminds you November is indeed a month of thanksgiving … so on Veteran’s Day let us be ever so thankful for those who assure our freedom shall continue to endure the test of time by simply saying “Thank you” to our nation’s military veterans.

Dennis McKendry is the past commander and 24th District deputy commander. He’s a member of American Legion Post 301 in Connellsville.