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VETERANS DAY A TIME TO FOCUS ON THOSE WHO SERVED
 | | --Photo By Eric San Juan Veterans Day serves to honor not only those who have served in war, as the memorial shown above, but all those who have served in the armed forces of the United States. |
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OCEAN COUNTY - The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders asked all residents to remember those who have served their country as well as the men and women fighting today to protect America's freedom.
"With the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is more important than ever to remember those who have fought America's wars," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly. "Veterans Day isn't just a day off from school or work, it's a day to honor our brave troops."
Today, there are more than 24.5 million veterans in the United States. Ocean County is home to 80,000 veterans, the most of any county in New Jersey.
"Throughout the 20th century and now in the 21st century, these soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who have answered their nation's call deserve our greatest thanks and respect," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little.
Little, who is also liaison to the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, asked residents to also remember the New Jersey National Guard volunteers who are serving overseas.
"These men and women left their families, left their jobs and left their homes to travel across the globe and fight for freedom," he said. "No honor is too great for these brave men and women."
The freeholders encouraged residents to attend one of the many Veterans Day ceremonies planned throughout the county.
In the county seat, Toms River Township sponsored a Veterans Day Parade on November 12.
More than 50 marching units will paraded down Main Street and Washington Street. Marching bands from the Toms River high schools and intermediate schools also took part.
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and marked the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
The name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor the veterans of all wars. Today, nearly 9.5 million veterans are 65 years old or older. More than 30 percent of all living veterans served in the Vietnam War.
"No matter what their age or their background, all of our veterans have one thing in common - they served their country with honor and bravery befitting a serviceman or servicewoman of the United States Armed Force," Little said.
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