In a story found on covnews.com, “A Veteran’s Story” writer Pete Mecca details what it was like when he returned home from his service in the Vietnam War in 1970.

He received stares, indignation and a changed country of people who forgot sacrifices made by his brothers in arms and thousands of other Americans.

Tuesday is a time to push aside those thoughts, and lack of memories of the sacrifices made to push American forward since 1776.

This is what it means in Mecca’s words:

This is what it means in Mecca’s words:
“Yes, I do remember. I remember things my family will never know. All veterans remember; the good, the bad, the acceptance or the rejection. I am grateful the intrepid men and women in uniform today are shown the respect they so fittingly deserve. But make no mistake about it; if the political hacks require an imaginary bull’s eye to incite the masses then the military may once again offer a tempting target. There is a big difference, you realize, between veterans and politicians: we took our oaths seriously.
Veteran’s Day. Remember the sacrifices. We still do.”

Here is a list of ways to celebrate our veterans in the area:

Covington
American Legion celebration
11 a.m.
The on the Covington Square will begin with a presentation of colors by the Newton High School Marine JROTC color guard. Patriotic music will be provided before and during the ceremony by the Eastside High School Band. The ceremony’s keynote speaker will be Major General Leslie Carroll.

Porterdale
Veteran’s Memorial Park
11 a.m.
Veteran’s Memorial Park gazebo, Hwy. 81 and Elm Street.
Porterdale’s first Veteran’s Day event will feature special speakers and music by Tiger and Dustin Bragg.

Conyers
Georgia Veterans Memorial Park Foundation program
Nov. 11, 11 a.m.
Walk of Heroes Memorial at Black Shoals Park, 3001 Black Shoals Road.
The program honoring late and current veterans will feature Captain John Warren as key note speaker. Warren served in the United States Marine Corps from 2004-2008 and. In 2006, he fought in the Battle of Ramadi, which was part of the Iraq War.
Warren is now president and founder of Lima One Capital, a lending company for residential real estate investors.

General Ray Davis Middle School Patriot Program
2 p.m.
A Huey helicopter will be landing at the school, followed by a squadron of Stearman biplanes flying over at 2 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. students will be invited into the gym with Pete Mecca, author of A Veteran’s Story and Covington News writer will be the guest speaker, along with Herb Smith.

Clarkston
GPTC Veterans Day Celebration
noon – 2 p.m. Luncheon; 4-6p Support Center Reception

GPTC DeKalb Campus
Georgia Piedmont Technical College celebrates students and employees who are veterans with a Veterans Luncheon from noon -2 p.m. at the Conference Center and a Veteran and Military Support Center Reception at room A170
To RSVP, 404-297-9522 x1165, andersce@gptc.edu