It was good to see the Murfreesboro Veterans’ Committee in their element Wednesday.

I haven’t seen the group in a while and at the Murfreesboro Veterans’ Day Celebration I was able to catch up with them.

The committee has done a lot for their community, notably raising money to build the Veterans’ War Memorial that stands in the front of the Town Hall.

The Veterans’ Day Celebration is just one of their recent endeavors.

It’s a bit astonishing to me how this group keeps on giving even after all they have given in the past.

All of the members have served in the military, risking their lives in various conflicts to ensure American freedom.

However, the continuing of civil service by veterans seems to be a common thread.

Those in the military often return to civilian life after their service.

They slip into ordinary roles and often times those roles are in a civic manner.

Veterans often return home to serve their communities in all fields from politics to medical to emergency services.

You may not know it, but the person working beside you may be a veteran.

As much as it gets lost in the public’s mind, we owe them thanks for fighting for our freedom.

While we harp and complain over our own hardships and lack of “fairness” in the world, we forget the liberties we are blessed with.

It simply slips our mind that we live in the United States of America, where freedoms come a dime a dozen.

A place where we can voice an opinion about the mundane or the significant issues on had without being jailed or executed.

Our country, liberties and opportunities has always been and continues to be protected by the American solider.

That’s why it’s vital to honor those who have served. They are ordinary citizens who have decided to risk their lives for their country.

Like the quote above, courage is the defining quality for these men and women Amanda VanDerBroek is a staff writer for the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald. For comments and column suggestions email: amanda.vanderbroek@r-cnews.com or call (252) 332-7209.