EDITORIAL

Every year, America stops, briefly, to celebrate Veteran’s Day and

remember the men and women who have fought to protect our borders and

preserve our way of life. American Flags are raised, school children

march in parades, stories of bravery and terror are told.

And then we go back to our regular routine. Why?

Perhaps Veteran’s Day gets lost in the fall crush of holidays that

starts with Halloween and ends after the ball drops at midnight on New

Year’s Day. There is also Memorial Day and Pearl Harbor Day, which can

dilute the effect and import of Nov. 11.

This year, it should be different. In the aftermath of the Sept. 11

attacks, it is no overstatement to say everything has changed.

Our patriotism has risen. Our flags are flying. And, this year, as we

honor our veterans from past conflicts, future heroes are far from their

families, on the front lines of America’s war on terrorism.

Veteran’s Day is not about the past this year. It is about our present

and our future.

For those of us carrying on with our lives as normally as we can, it

is impossible to imagine what our soldiers are thinking and how their

families are dealing with not only fears of anthrax in the mail and

threats against California landmarks, but the tangible danger to their

loved ones.

But there are many who do understand how they are feeling: the men and

women we honor this Sunday. And the knowledge they carry and the resolve

they have shown in past fights are a resource we all should look to in

these unaccountable, unimaginable times.

Our strength as a nation comes from such unity. Our veterans have a

major role to play in bringing our nation together.

Our veterans have much to offer us. We should take advantage of that,

and thank them. Now more than ever.