Veterans Day 2007

This is the time of year when we honor our nation's military veterans. Yet, each year as a look at the pictures of the ceremony, I notice the "graying" of those taking part. It will be a big challenge for us to re-kindle interest in celebrating our vets. Right now, only 11 percent of Americans are military vets. Long gone are the days when almost every family included a member who was or had been in the service.

Augusta is a military community. When I attended a Veterans Day ceremony at Greenbrier High School last year, I was amazed how many students stood up to recognize their family members who had been or who are in the armed forces. Our schools are doing the best they can to remember our vets and active duty members. For that, they should be commended.

That's a great start. Here's how you can help too. Consider taking an hour Monday morning the 12th to drop by the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home on 15th St., across from MCG. You will be moved by the sight of some of our oldest veterans, standing tall even though they may be in wheelchairs, and saluting the flag they fought to defend so long ago. That ceremony starts at 9 a.m.

Walk downtown along Broad Street at 10 a.m. Watch the parade go by and you will be glad you did.

Drop by Wade Hampton Veterans Park in North Augusta at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be short, and you'll hear music and words that will inspire you. Don't forget to walk across the street to look at the monuments. It's a stroll through our nation's proud history.

Tom Campbell
News 12