Take a moment to appreciate vets today

Veterans Day is special every year, and the observance keeps getting more attention as Americans’ appreciation for the men and women who served in defense of their country continues to grow.

But there’s an added dimension to this year’s observance, as the heroism displayed by U.S. forces in Syria in late October is very much fresh in people’s memories, serving as a reminder of what are armed forces mean to us.

On Oct. 26, members of the Army Rangers and Delta Force launched a daring raid on the compound in Syria where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr alBaghdadi had been hiding. They were supported by personnel piloting military helicopters and fighter planes.

The heroic attack resulted in the death of Baghdadi, long sought by the U.S. and its allies for his role in spreading terror throughout the Middle East and beyond. The general in charge said it was exquisitely planned an executed. And much like the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, this was the source of great relief and satisfaction for freedom-loving people here and around the world.

So many of the veterans we celebrate today have been involved in similar acts of heroism that may not have gotten much attention from the general public. People who fought in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan often found themselves in lifeand-death situations and willingly put their own lives at risk for the sake of a larger cause.

Today marks the 101st anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. That must always be noted. The centennial of the end of that unspeakably brutal conflict brought much-deserved recognition of the sacrifices made by those who served back then. It’s imperative we keep that memory alive on anniversaries that don’t end with round numbers.

What was initially known as Armistice Day started as an informal observance before becoming a national holiday in 1938. A movement to extend the holiday’s reach to all veterans led to it being renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

It’s important to remember why we have a day set aside specifically to honor veterans. While Memorial Day rightfully honors those who died in service to our country, this occasion gives us a chance to recognize all who served and take advantage of the opportunity to thank them personally.

The honor belongs not just to those who saw action during wartime but to all who wore the uniform, including those who were assigned duties away from combat or served during peacetime. Everyone who has served this nation’s military, regardless of whether they were a draftee or volunteer in the branch they served, made sacrifices to their country in terms of toil, time and money. Often they had to be away from their families for long periods of times, missing crucial moments the rest of us take for granted.

It’s gratifying to see how widely Veterans Day is observed today. Ceremonies paying tribute to those who served are taking place in many locations, and a large number of businesses are offering goods and services for free or at a discount to people who were in the military. We’ve come a long way from the period when Vietnam War veterans faced public rebuke if they made their status known.

We urge readers to take time to thank a veteran this year. Remember that it’s been nearly a half-century since the draft era ended, and the ranks of veterans are dwindling. In 1980, there were 28.5 million civilian veterans in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As of 2017, the number was down to 18.2 million. The decline is sure to continue for decades to come.

We must cherish our veterans, especially those who fought in World War II and in the Korean War and are in their twilight years.

When we say we cannot thank them enough, we mean it. Let’s put that into action today.