During a Veterans Day ceremony at Myrtle Hill today, two uniformed veterans performed a well practiced service to honor veterans, raising a flag before lowering it to half-staff, an honor to those who could not be with their families on this day.

“Today the holiday honors all veterans,” said Cmdr. Mike Wallace of the American Legion Post 5. “All have lost time with their family and all carry the scars of war.”

Jan Johnson, who lost her son Justin in Iraq in April 2004, wished to remind everyone that Veterans’ Day is for all veterans who served their country -- not just those who lost their lives.

“Today is not for Justin — it’s for the ones who came home,” said Johnson. “Justin is remembered every day.”

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, is specifically set aside to remember fallen soldiers, she said.

Guest Speaker State Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville) said an earlier speech at Alto Park Elementary was an inspiration — reminding him of the days when “patriotism was important.”

“The entire school stood in that gymnasium and recited the pledge of allegiance,” Loudermilk said.

The act reminded him of the character and spirit of the American nation, he said, and spoke of a Virginia preacher who in the time of the American revolution stepped away from the pulpit to join the continental army.

It is that type of sacrifice that defines the American soldier, Loudermilk said -- to give up a life of comfort to go fight for their country.

“At any minute these men in uniform today could receive the call and be shipped off to lands unknown,” Loudermilk said, gesturing toward a group of uniformed soldiers.