By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Veterans Day is a special time to remember our service men and women, living and deceased, who served our country, defended us and let our freedom continue to ring.
It seems everyone knows someone who has served time for our country, whether it be the Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy or any other service.
This week, the Daily Star asked residents what Veterans Day means to them.
Jasmine Martin, a student at Niles High School, has a lot of respect for veterans, especially since her father was in the Army and served in the Gulf War in 1990.
"He is a great man because he was out there doing what most people don't want to do. He did suffer from what they call Gulf War Syndrome and when he was 32 they told him he would not live to see 35. He's now 45 and doing well. I respect him for what he did," she said.
Dorea Britton's father, was in the Air Force, one of her uncles was in the Army and two other uncles served in Vietnam.
"It's important to remember our veterans because people don't seem to think of the consequences of war. It can change your life and to many it has," Britton, of Niles, said.
Chelsea Cain and Zach Book said everyone should always take time to remember those who fought for our country.
"I have a cousin, James Holloway, who is in Iraq right now. He's a marine. Without our veterans and the people involved with the war right now, we may not be here," Cain said.
Book's grandfather was in the Army and he said he is thankful for everything the service men and women do for us.
Rachel Malling, of Niles, said Veterans Day is a good time to show support.
"It goes to show that we care for the people who have fought and are fighting for our country," she said.
Her friend, Courtney Callahan, had a grandfather who was a veteran.
"Veterans Day is about respect," she said.
As far as the war that's taking place right now, Callahan said it shouldn't even be going on.