Remember Veterans’ Sacrifices This Holiday Season

The following message is from Leonard Kalkbrenner Jr., who serves as Director of Veterans Affairs for Potter County:

As I was driving in today, I was thinking about the Christmas holiday that is drawing closer. I thought about all of the servicemen and servicewomen on duty throughout the world — those in Korea along the DMZ where tensions run high, in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and in so many other places.  I reflected on my own experiences in Vietnam on a Christmas Eve, 24 December 1968, on perimeter guard.

Not enough can be written or said about the sacrifices that our servicemen and servicewomen make throughout the year and, in particular, at this time of year. Many are away from family, in harm’s way, not knowing what the next moment will bring.

How blessed we are to have those who have answered duty’s call to protect our freedoms. I am sharing this in hopes that we take a moment and thank those who have given their time — past and present — so that we can enjoy this special time of year. Keep all of them in your prayers. May they know that their service to our great nation will never be taken for granted.