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LANETT — On Thursday of last week, the Lanett Senior Center played host to a military appreciation day. A Christmas-style tree paid tribute to veterans and three city employees with military connections were honored by the seniors for what they do in protecting our freedoms.

The group included Gary Wright, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 34 years before retiring home to Lanett to work at the senior center; Tristan Meadows, who is in his sixth year in the Army National Guard, and Maki Potts, who is in his seventh year in the Army National Guard. Thanks was also given to senior center member Herschel Allen, who is a veteran of the Air Force.

“I know we celebrated Veterans Day recently, but we shouldn’t celebrate veterans for what they have done on just one day out of the year,” said Senior Center Manager Sandra Thornton. “We should celebrate them every day.”

Barbara Tyler was the guest speaker for the day. She came back home to Lanett after serving 27 years in the U.S. Army. She was stationed overseas six times in her Army career and was based stateside five more times. She has been in hot spots like Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait and have also served in potential trouble spots like South Korea, Germany and Egypt. Two other family members have also served in the military.

“I really enjoyed myself in the military, but it wasn’t always easy,” she said. “The worst part about being in the military is having to leave your family and friends, especially when you are sent to danger zones. I am sure every veteran with a family understands that. I thank God that I made it home safely, but there were many who didn’t make it back and many more who returned with wounds they will have to deal with for the rest of their lives.”

Tyler said there were two motivating factors that persuaded her to have a military career – it gave her an opportunity to travel and it gave her the fulfilling sense of doing something for her country.

Tyler reviewed the history of Veterans Day. She explained that it was originally called Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I. Aa armistice ending that war went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the eleventh month in 1918. Millions of people worldwide celebrated the end of that war. “It meant that no one else would die or be wounded in hostile action and that loved ones would be coming home,” Tyler said. “Armistice Day was a day to honor the soldiers who served in that war. After World War II, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor men and women who had served our country in all wars. Since then, we all come together on November 11th to remember those who served, fought and gave their lives in the defense of our country. We honor those who served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard both past and present. It’s a day of celebration, recognizing the courage, commitment and sacrifice all our veterans have made.”

“What is a veteran?” Tyler asked. “A veteran is anyone who served in the military, regardless of their branch of service. Every veteran has endured some level of self-sacrifice in serving their country. These sacrifices include the many days and nights of being away from home, away from family and missing out on special days – birthdays, holidays, graduations and so on – of loved ones. Many veterans miss out on the births of children and being with them during their growing-up years.”

“We must always remember that it’s the veteran who has stood in the gap to defend our country, our freedoms and our way of life,” Tyler said. “Throughout our history as a nation, many thousands of men and women in the military have given their lives so those behind on the home front can look forward to tomorrow in the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Tyler said that no American should ever take their freedom for granted. “All Americans owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans,” Tyler said. “Anyone who has ever worn a uniform played a part in keeping our nation free. We have this because of our veterans, especially those who never returned from the battlefield. And let us not forget about the families of veterans. They, too, make sacrifices with their loved ones being away. They have earned our thanks, too.”

“It means a lot to the veteran when someone thanks them for their service,” Tyler said. “For what they have done, they need to be shown some appreciation. I want to thank everyone who takes part in some way with a Veterans Day program and thank the Lanett Senior Center for having this special day today. To all fellow veterans, I thank you for your service. I thank those who are presently serving. Thank you and God bless you for your service and your sacrifice.”