Friday is a day to honor our veterans, past and present

Friday is a day to honor ourveterans, past and present
EDITOR:
Nov. 11 became known as "Armistice Day" in recognition of the celebrated ending of World War 1 on Nov. 11, 1918. Three years later an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery and in 1938 Congress made Armistice Day an official holiday. In 1954 Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who served America in all wars and at peace time. President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veteran's Day.
On Memorial Day 1958, two more unknown soldiers were brought from overseas and interred beside the unknown soldier of World War I, one from World War II, the other from the Korean War. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from the Vietnam War was placed alongside the others.
For over 80 years, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars has remembered our veterans on Veterans Day. Veterans Day is very important for all Americans because it symbolizes hope for peace and freedom. Veterans Day is a celebration to those men and women who fought in all the wars, including the war in Afghanistan and Iraq and who served in peace time.
We are asking all Americans to remember those who have sacrificed for our freedoms. Let them know how special they really are. Write to our congressmen and senators in Washington, D.C., and ask them to remember our veterans and the sacrifices they made for our country and us and then ask them not to sacrifice their entitlements in budget cuts.
DORIS HAWKINS, Legislative chairman
Ladies Auxiliary VFW 3332
Newton Falls
We owe it all to veterans
EDITOR:
There are so many things we cherish as Americans. The freedom of expression along with every other right we are guaranteed under the Constitution are desired by so many people who are not as fortunate as we are around the world. These freedoms did not come easily. It is important to remember that our American soldiers fought and died from as early as the 1700s through the present time to ensure that all will become free and remain free. We look around and see our beautiful country with endless opportunities and too often we forget the sacrifices that were made to make this country what it is.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. This holiday should be as celebrated as our Independence Day because it is not only the end result of freedom that we need to celebrate, but also the men and women that dedicated their lives for that freedom. Imagine what life would have been like if Hitler had succeeded during WWII. The thought is chilling. Brave Americans fought and died in our wars and it is the responsibility of all Americans to make sure those soldiers did not fight and die in vain. Not only on Veteran's Day but any day, say thank you to a veteran for their service. After all, what would we really have it wasn't for our brave and noble veterans?
JASON M. BUDAY
Warren
Accent on the positive
EDITOR:
On Oct. 29, I did some volunteer work with eight Poland Seminary High School students. In addition to getting my shoes wet that Saturday morning I became enlightened and very impressed by those eight students. It astonished me that these young ladies and gentlemen would give up a Saturday morning to clean up Poland Woods and Yellow Creek.
Each of us was armed with a trash bag and plenty of enthusiasm ready to take whatever Yellow Creek had to throw at us. We hauled out of the creek five auto tires. One tenacious student used a shovel that someone found in the stream to dig out a tire from the muck and gravel of the creek.
Through listening and talking to the students I learned that many held down part-time jobs in addition to all being National Honor Society members.
I salute the young lady and young man who drove their cars to the Indian Trail entrance of Poland Woods to place those muddy, water soaked, foul smelling tires in their car trunks. The media seems to dwell only on the negative actions of a few teens. My only hope is that when you hear of a teen being arrested for selling drugs you think of those eight teens hauling out tires and assorted litter from old Yellow Creek.
KEVIN FLAHERTY
Poland