As the Thanksgiving season brings friends and family together from near and far, take a moment to also give thanks for the valiant men and women whose bravery helps define our history and future. Veterans Day may only be one day, but the courage and bravery of our veterans will be remembered always.

 

In northeastern Nevada, visitors can stop and read the names of 65 Nevada men who served and died in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War inscribed on the Elko County War Memorial, standing in front of the Elko County Courthouse. The memorial, constructed with nine tons of Georgia granite, was dedicated in 1991. The monument is designed with several “V” shapes, signifying victory, and the Vietnam section stands slightly higher to point to a nearby American flag. Beneath the three vertical slabs are the words “Freedom is not free. In memory of our fallen comrades.” Learn more about how the monument was built at www.elkorose.com/warmemorial.html.

 

Explore the artifacts of what was once an active U.S. Army Fort at Fort Churchill State Historic Park in Silver Springs. Churchill was built in 1861 to offer early settlers protection in the western frontier, and also served as a stop for the Pony Express and the Overland Telegraph. More than 20 buildings originally stood within the fort, which is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The Visitors Center has a collection of exhibits, and the park offers hiking trails, access to the Carson River for canoeing and educational information about the area’s history and environment. The soldiers and settlers who once took refuge within the fort’s walls should be remembered for their contribution to the country’s history. Get directions to the park and find additional information at http://parks.nv.gov/fc.htm.

 

In Carson City, you can honor and remember servicemen and women of the Korean War at the Korean War Memorial, dedicated in 2005. The memorial’s central column stands on a concrete pad and is surrounded by a brick walkway. Engraved on the bricks are the names, ranks and branches of service of supporters. Also part of the memorial are four individual boulders that represent the “Nevada Cities Complex” – a series of small hills or outposts north of Seoul, South Korea named after the four Nevada cities of Elko, Carson, Reno and Vegas during the war in 1953. Four flags flank the memorial – the South Korean flag, the American flag, the Nevada state flag and the MIA flag. Learn more at www.kwva.org/memorials/nv/p_mem_nv.htm.

 

There’s no better time than Thanksgiving to remember and be thankful for the brave men and women who made incredible sacrifices to protect the freedoms of the United States.