Friday, November 05, 2010

GUEST COLUMN: "A Tribute to Ohio’s Veterans" by State Rep. John Adams

As a veteran of the Navy SEALs, supporting the United States military and honoring our veterans is one of my priorities as a legislator. This week, all Ohioans will have the opportunity to pay special tribute to our men and women in uniform who have served in the U.S. military. Veterans Day falls on November 11th each year and is an opportunity to honor the nearly 915,000 veterans who currently live in Ohio.
Throughout the years, the American dream has been safeguarded by our military members who have served in all reaches of the globe, from Pacific jungles to the deserts of the Middle East. These brave individuals voluntarily put their lives on the line to protect their families and neighbors back home, and it is important to never take their sacrifices for granted.
Veterans Day was originally a celebration of the end of World War I, when an armistice between the Allies and Germany was declared on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. However, after World War II and the Korean War, the holiday was extended to honor all living American veterans who served in the military during war or peacetime.
This Veterans Day, the annual wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. Many people in our community will proudly fly their Stars and Stripes in front of their homes to signify the unwavering resilience of the American spirit, as well as the freedoms that so many service members have died protecting. Locally, Ohioans will celebrate with parades and festivities to pay homage to those within our community who have answered the call to duty.
On this day, everyone within our community—veterans, actives and civilians—will be united by patriotism and our American pride. We have so much to be thankful for, and this is just one opportunity to thank the selfless heroes who truly understand the price of freedom. In honor of the long traditions of this holiday and our great nation, I will continue to proudly support our veterans and all those who continue to serve today.