As we went to press on Monday, Nov. 12, our hearts were heavy. We heard of another plane crash and again the feeling of vulnerability returned. We still have to find out what caused the event, and of course, we are holding our breath, not knowing if we will have to accept it as an accidental tragedy or another attempt to hurt America.

The answer to the anthrax mystery is still being sought and the country is waiting to hear the conclusion. Is it another home grown radical like McVeigh or is it the work of a binn Laden conspirator.

In light of the events, our veterans, our police, our firefighters are becoming more dear to us. In times of crisis everything else is stripped away and we stand here, wrapped in our concern for each other, and the great nation we have become.

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to appreciate all we have. Let's hope this is our last tragedy for a long time. It just hurts too much.

- DFK

The country responded to Veteran's Day, November 11 as across the nation veterans were honored. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto had urged residents to remember veterans that day.

With our country now engaged in a worldwide war against terrorism, and with our men and women in the armed forces fighting to defend our freedom, Veterans Day takes on an even deeper significance. The debt we owe our veterans, and those now serving in our armed forces who will be the veterans of tomorrow, is one that is hard to repay. How do you compensate those who left their homes, loved ones and jobs to endure the horrors of war? How do you compensate those who made heroic sacrifices to protect the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness that are the birthrights of all Americans?

Nov. 11 was first celebrated in 1919 to mark the first anniversary of the signing on Nov. 11, 1918, of the armistice that brought World War I to an end. It was formally named Armistice Day by Congress in 1926, and became a legal holiday in 1938 by Act of Congress. It continued to be observed as Armistice Day through 1953. Then, in 1954, at the urging of veterans' organizations, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an act of Congress formally changing the name to Veterans Day "in order to expand the significance of that (Armistice Day) celebration and in order that a grateful nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this nation."

With each passing year, more of our veterans are dying.

There are few alive who served during World War I, and the ranks of World War II and Korean War veterans are rapidly thinning. For their sakes, for the veterans of Vietnam, Desert Storm, unnamed conflicts and peace-keeping missions, and for now for those engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom, we must not let the real meaning of Veterans Day be obscured by vapid commercialism and holiday sales.

On Veterans Day, which many business and government offices will be observing on Nov. 12, we hope they take a few moments to reflect on where we might be were it not for our veterans. If they had not answered our country's call in time of need, all our previous accomplishments would have become meaningless. If they had not answered our country's call, our great experiment in government of the people, by the people and for the people might have been forever vanquished.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto