Editorial: Veterans Day: A time to say thanks

Talk about it

Much has written in this newspaper over the last several months about the World War II veterans who, through Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight, had the opportunity to go visit their memorial in Washington, D.C. They are all truly American heroes, and they are more than worthy of this honor — and our utmost respect.

As Veterans Day arrives this Friday, we should mark this occasion by paying tribute to the soldiers who have served and protected us around the world since World War II.

Perhaps, someday soon, something similar to Honor Flight can be done to bring soldiers from the Korean or Vietnam wars to our nation’s capital. Those men and women deserve the same kind of heroes’ welcome given to World War II veterans during this year’s Washington journeys. In the meantime, though, there’s Veterans Day — a time for all of us to, at the very least, say thanks.

Communities across southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa are doing just that this week, as several Veterans Day observances are planned. Some are being coordinated by American Legion and VFW posts; others are being planned at schools.

In Worthington specifically, District 518 schools are honoring veterans in three separate programs: Worthington Middle School will host a program at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the gym; Worthington High School will have its Veterans Day event at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the gym; and Prairie Elementary will have a breakfast/special presentation starting at 7:30 a.m. Friday in its gym.

We strongly encourage Worthington residents to attend at least one of the school programs to recognize veterans, as well as those elsewhere to turn out for events in their communities.

Tags: district 518, worthington middle school, prairie elementary, opinion, editorials, veterans, worthington, whs, education