Today our nation pauses — albeit briefly — to honor the men and women who have served in our nation’s military.

Veterans are special people.

Their job is to put others ahead of themselves. They protect our nation in times of peace and in times of war.

When things get ugly — either militarily or even after the worst natural disasters — we lean on these brave men and women for help.

Sadly, all too often we as Americans tend to take for granted the freedoms that our military serves to protect and preserve.

It’s for that very reason that Veterans Day exists as a holiday.

When the first anniversary of the end of fighting in World War I occurred in November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11, as the first commemoration of what was then called Armistice Day. We later renamed the holiday.

In today’s edition, we honor a handful of the hundreds of local veterans who walk among us daily in our community.

As you see a veteran, please stop and say, “Thank you. Thank you for your service.”

The simple gesture — along with a lifetime of respect — will mean a great deal to those who have dedicated a portion of their lives to serving others, sometimes in the direct line of fire.

Please pause today to say a prayer of thanks for the brave men and women of our armed forces, past and present.