MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Monday, November 11th is Veterans Day, and across America, the focus is on those who have served our country. Many gathered at local ceremonies to say "thank you," and honor the sacrifices veterans have made.
There are only a few times each year that America seems to collectively stop and remember to say "thank you" to those who have served, and Veterans Day is one of those occasions.
On Monday in Milwaukee, local ceremonies sought to honor those who have stepped up.
""I cannot say how much I appreciate the veterans and what they've done for us and our country and today's ceremony reflects that," Kathy Baranzyk said.
Baranzyk comes from a family full of veterans. She marked the day at a ceremony at the VA Medical Center.
"Veterans Day is just the most honorable day you can have," Baranzyk said.
Captain Delon Powell was the featured speaker at the VA Medical Center's ceremony. He addressed the crowd by issuing a challenge to veterans.
"I know you've been off active duty for a while but I have another mission for you and this mission, should you choose to accept is unlike previous missions. It's a mission of service in the USA," Captain Powell said.
In what he called an "Open Letter to Veterans," he asked those who have served to continue to serve at home.
"You may have retired the uniform, but the skill set remains. Find someone to pour your life into. Find a cause to which you can contribute. Find a purpose to serve in place of the Armed Forces that you've left behind. It is only in serving each other that we really become free," Captain Powell said.
FOX6 News spoke with several veterans who say we as a society can better serve our veterans by doing things like volunteering and remembering to say "thank you."