Happy Veterans Day

By Paul Gable

The following poem is my favorite salute to veterans on Veterans Day. It says everything necessary of the role veterans have played in our society.

To all my fellow veterans, I want to wish a Happy Veterans Day. Since the guns silenced on November 11, 1918, ostensibly ending the ‘war to end all wars’, many of us have served during wartime.

We solemnly remember and honor those who did not make it home and salute the many who did.

It is the Veteran

 Author: Anonymous

It is the Veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Veteran, who salutes the Flag,
It is the Veteran, who serves under the Flag,
To be buried by the flag,
So the protester can burn the flag.

The following locations will host Veterans Day services along the Grand Strand:

Veterans Day service at NMB Memorial Gardens

A Veterans Day service is planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens, 65 East Highway 90, Little River at Nixons Crossroads, at the corner of highways 9, 90, and 17. The event is also being presented by the Little River Elks Lodge No. 2840. The property is handicapped accessible.

North Strand Veterans Day

The Little River American Legion Post 186 and VFW Post 10804 will have Veterans Day services at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at Veteran’s Plaza in the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex.

Myrtle Beach Veterans Day

The public is invited to the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Parking is free for this event.

Murrells Inlet Veterans Day

Veterans Day services at be at noon Saturday, Nov. 11 at VFW Post 10420, 4359 U.S. 17, Murrells Inlet.