NATCHEZ &045; Dozens, including speaker U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, filled Memorial Park Tuesday to pay tribute on Veterans Day to those who gave all for their country &045; both veterans themselves, and those they left behind.

In keeping with the program’s theme, &uot;Welcome Home, Veterans of the Korean War,&uot; those who fought in the conflict, which ended 50 years ago, stood as they were recognized from the podium as heroes.

Many of those who fought alongside them weren’t so lucky. Of Americans who fought in the Korean War, more than 54,000 were killed, and 8,000 are still missing.

But it’s because of such sacrifices &uot;that I, as a boy, never had to ask, was I safe? You all made sure I was safe,&uot; Pickering told veterans.

&uot;And my boys were born in a time of peace and prosperity Š because of the men and women who fought, served and sacrificed so we could be free.&uot;

The alternative, Pickering said, is to live in a country such as North Korea, where the freedoms and luxuries we enjoy every day are in short supply.

&uot;And we know because of your example we will persist and prevail in this latest conflict,&uot; Pickering said.

It was also a day to honor those who served in all armed conflicts, including the recent one in Iraq.

Those include Sgt. Henry L. Brown of Natchez, who was killed April 8 in Baghdad and whose mother, Rhonda James-Brown, was a guest of honor at the midday event.

James-Brown and her son are among those who sacrificed for the cause of freedom, and she in particular has been an inspiration to many, handling her loss &uot;with grace and courage and faith,&uot; Pickering said.

There was also a moment of silence during the event in honor of Brown’s memory.