We owe our veterans thanks

Opinion

November 12, 2009

Anonymous The Goshen News Thu Nov 12, 2009, 09:34 AM EST

It was a somber day across the nation Wednesday as community after community paid homage to its veterans as the mournful “Taps” echoed from bugles and volleys of 21-gun salutes were fired. There were also happier recognitions of the sacrifices of veterans, including free buffets at restaurants, handshakes followed by “thank-you for serving,” and calls to loved ones to say a few words.

Here in Elkhart County the traditional salute was held on the courthouse lawn. At the end of two rows of bright red, white and blue flags is the county’s roll of those who have died in several of the nation’s wars. We urge each of our readers to go to the courthouse lawn and read the list, touch the names etched in bronze with their fingers and ponder the losses each of those families have suffered.

But Veterans Day is not Memorial Day, where the nation focuses on the service members who have died in action. Yes, we should remember the fallen on Veterans Day, but the day should be more about honoring the living veterans. There are many among us.

In our community we have men and women who served all over the world during World War II. We also have men who walked up and down the Korean Peninsula in bitter cold in an attempt to keep the communists from the North from overrunning the democracy-minded people of the South. And our Vietnam veterans are many. These men were drafted and left our communities in ones and twos. There were no large turnouts to send them off in buses as happened in World War II and no parades when they returned after their tour.

Instead, they arrived back home just as unnoticed as when they shipped out. That shame of lack of recognition for their sacrifice is now evaporating. Vietnam veterans now get rousing cheers and applause when they march in local parades. This is the way it should be.

The veterans of the Gulf War have been joined by the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as the “new group” of veterans. All have served well and deserve our never-ending gratitude.

Other members of our communities have served at far-flung U.S. bases throughout the world. Their service also has been very important to our country.

So, to all you veterans, we say “thank you.” We are very fortunate to have you among us.

Text Only

Opinion

Globe’s quality is coming in loud and clear
The Globe is aptly named. Thanks to the Internet — and via globeradio.org — listeners worldwide have the opportunity to check out Goshen College’s radio station. Minus the web, local listeners can dial in to 91.1 FM and hear WGCS in about a 40-mile radius around campus.

February 11, 2012 1 Photo
Obama's action on education rule will help Indiana
It’s about time Indiana got out from under the onerous provisions of the No Child Left Behind law that was promoted by President George W. Bush and passed by Congress in 2001.

February 10, 2012
We don't want to be on this top 10 list
When it comes to being included in a top 10 list, nobody wants to be ranked as a leader in methamphetamine manufacturing. But Elkhart and Kosciusko counties have again cracked the top 10 for the number of meth labs found, this time for 2011. Elkhart County was ranked second and Kosciusko third. Vanderburgh County, way down on the Ohio River, has been awarded the infamous top spot.

February 8, 2012
Indiana's time to shine is now
During Gov. Mitch Daniels’ visit to Goshen recently, he was asked a very important, very direct question: “Who are you rooting for in Super Bowl?”

February 5, 2012
Community is proud of Skyler Carpenter
Skyler Carpenter had a choice to make.

February 4, 2012
Stahly has served his community well
There are moments that cause us to say “oh, no,” and “outstanding” nearly in the same breath. That’s how we felt recently when Bruce Stahly announced that he plans to retire as superintendent of Goshen Community Schools in June. We said “oh, no,” because we know how important Stahly has been to the school corporation for the past 13 years. And we said “outstanding,” because we know how much he deserves this after a job well done.
Stahly came to Goshen in 1999 as deputy superintendent. He had worked previously as the assistant superintendent of finance for the South Bend Community School Corp. In July 2002 Stahly was promoted to superintendent of Goshen’s schools. That was a great decision by school trustees.

February 3, 2012
Digital technology good for education
Things have changed in education and today has been set aside to encourage educators to embrace those changes.

February 1, 2012
Tommy W. Woodworth
January 31, 2012
Behavior of teens must improve during First Fridays
Goshen’s downtown has a success story, and the tale gets told every month.

January 28, 2012
Solar panels should have limited placement in cities
Goshen resident Marvin Bartel has won approval for his solar array on a vacant lot along College Avenue, which is something we have mixed feelings about.

January 26, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

The Goshen Housing Authority has a $571,050 shortfall. Should the Goshen City Council use money from its $4.7-million “rainy day” fund to pay the debt and maintain the current level of service provided by the voucher program?

Opinion

Search Results

We owe our veterans thanks

The Goshen Housing Authority has a $571,050 shortfall. Should the Goshen City Council use money from its $4.7-million “rainy day” fund to pay the debt and maintain the current level of service provided by the voucher program?

Site Map