It was mid-January 1967. I was a cashier at the then-Kroger’s (now Save A Lot) supermarket located in the Alpena Shopping Center.

The unpopular Vietnam War was at a high level.

I vividly recall two U.S. Air Force representatives in dress blue uniforms entering the store and being directed to the meat department. They informed Leon Wozniak that his son, Frederick, a USAF major, was missing in action. His jet fighter was shot down over North Vietnam.

Five months later, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Phillip B. Emerson perished in South Vietnam by small-arms fire. He was a classmate of mine at Alpena High School.

Both were awarded the military’s Purple Heart medal.

Outside of news reports, that was my first personal brush with a war.

Years later, I was on active duty with the U.S. Navy on the secretary of the Navy’s public affairs staff. My commanding officer inquired if I would travel to Dover Air Force Base to serve families as the remains of fallen Navy and Marine Corps members arrived. As the Hercules C5 aircraft stopped, I saw the stainless steel, flag-draped caskets come off the ramp, escorted by an honor guard.

Truly a humbling experience during a trying period for a divided America.

Across Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency, and Presque Island counties and the nation, framed three-corner burial American flags, smiling faces in uniform photographs, military medals, and similar items line bookcases and shelves. Placed nearby are scrap books and memorabilia honoring their military service.

Near court houses, municipal buildings, and cemeteries are memorials and plaques offering tributes to decades of veterans, Northeast Michigan’s American Legion, VFW, Disabled Veterans, Vietnam and related meeting halls are filled with veterans recalling their service to America and our democracy.

Today, Nov. 11 is America’s Veterans Day, which, from a historic perspective, marks the conclusion of World War I on the 11th month, 11th day, at the 11th hour.

Please take a moment to reflect and thank Michigan’s nearly 680.000 veterans along with 21 million living men and women who proudly served our nation and gave us liberty. As well as those military members serving on active and reserve duty.

Hand salute from a USN sailor.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO and frequently writes feature stories and op-eds. He is a former Alpena resident and resides in suburban Detroit.