Our View: Today, thank veterans for their service

Today is Veterans Day, the day set aside for Americans to honor those who have served in the armed forces over the year.

Many of those honored today are not the people described as heroes in the traditional sense. It is not the day to pay tribute to those who died in service — that’s Memorial Day.

Nor is it meant for those who courageously fought in a major battle.

It is a time to honor those men and women who gave us two, three or 30 years of their lives to serve their country.

With the advent of the volunteer Army, the number of people who have served in the military has declined.

Many people today know very little of military.

Those who have volunteered to serve deserve the best treatment we can provide.

The poor service provided by the Veterans administration, for example, was disgusting, though massive changes in the right direction are taking place.

There is much that we as a country can do to honor veterans. We can provide better services like the Veterans Bill of Rights to those who have served.

We can provide world-class health care.

But today there is one thing we can do that is far less expensive and easier for everyone to accomplish.

When you see a veteran on the street — whether he or she served at Okinawa during World War II or if they worked as a supply clerk at Fort Dix last year — give them a salute and say “thank you for your service.”

That is perhaps the best treatment we can provide veterans. We need to show our appreciation.