During a special community-wide Veterans Day ceremony, officials from the Big Spring VA Medical Center, Howard College and numerous  organizations offered thanks to the country’s veterans.

“Today we recognize our nation’s 24 million living veterans that represent a century of suffering and sacrifice in assuring our American way of life, and all that is right and just,” said master of ceremonies Randy McKinney, a member of the local Vietnam Memorial Committee. “Today we dedicate ourselves to supporting the men and women who are active-duty armed forces, as they stand tall and unrelenting before the onrushing winds of tyranny.”

McKinney said it’s no secret many Americans take their freedom for granted, and while Veterans Day is an opportune time to say thanks to the fighting men and women of the U.S. armed forces, it’s something we should think about on a daily basis.

“We may take freedom for granted, but a lot of people on this planet don’t have it,” McKinney told the audience at Howard College’s Dorothy Garrett Coliseum. “When you think of celebrating freedom, most people think of the Fourth of July, fireworks and marching bands. But freedom is something we should celebrate every single day. Today we celebrate our freedom by honoring and paying tribute to those who provided and ensured our continued freedom. The men and women who put on the uniforms and put themselves in harm’s way for our freedom, and the freedom of our great country, and we’re here today to honor them.”

Keynote speaker Michael Bell, director of the West Texas VA Health Care System, said the sacrifices of veterans across the nation make it possible for Americans to enjoy their many civil liberties.

“Today the community of Big Spring comes together to recognize and honor those who have served in the United States armed forces. We honor and celebrate the achievements of the 24 million living Americans who have served their country in uniform, at home and abroad, in war and in peace,” said Bell. “Each year we set this day aside to honor the service and sacrifice of those Americans who have done so much to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy.

“We realize how blessed we are as Americans to live in a nation envied the world over for our democracy, our way of life, neither of which would be possible without these sacrifices. For those blessings, on this day we thank our veterans. We thank them for sacrificing their own personal freedom to protect and secure those liberties enjoyed by us.”

Bell paid special attention to the efforts of those who served in World War II, and urged Howard County residents to consider how they remember our nation’s veterans.

“Are there any World War II veterans here today? Can I see a show of hands?” asked Bell, bringing forth a roar of applause from the audience. “World War II, for the United States, began Dec. 7, 1941, with the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, and ended in September, 1945. You know kids, that’s a long time ago, and these guys aren’t quite as young as they used to be. But when they were young, they saved the world.

“In our nation’s history, 48 million Americans have served. Today’s military men and women on the other side of this globe are engaged in combat as we speak. It has been said that how a nation remembers its defenders reflects its true character ... We and our children must never forget them and what their extraordinary service has meant.”

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it