With dozens of American flags flying around them in the parking lot, members of the honor guard aimed their rifles toward the sky.

Bang.

The dozens of military veterans and their family members reached up to plug their ears to soften the booming sound in the cold air Saturday morning outside Dorsey-Liberty Post 14 of the American Legion, 3408 W. Sixth St.

Bang. It was a second set of shots to honor fallen American veterans on Veterans Day.

The firing squad members – made up of legionnaires and the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Alford Clark Post 852 – each fired a third set of shots from their Springfield 1903 rifles.

Then, Jeff Miller began to play taps, as veterans of different generations saluted the flag. Tears welled in the eyes of some family members.

The tribute ended an hourlong ceremony that about 100 people attended on a national holiday honoring all who have served their country.

“You have stepped forward to show that you fully understand that your freedom was purchased at a terrible price,” said Grant Caughey, commander of Disabled American Veterans Jayhawk Chapter No. 22.

Having American soldiers overseas today gives added significance to celebrating Veterans Day, said Jerry Hanson, the legion’s post commander. Hanson served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam and later with the Army National Guard.

“We want to thank all of the past and present veterans,” he said. “Anyone in the armed service is a veteran and people who served their time in the name of our country.”

To begin the Saturday ceremony at 11:11 a.m., Hanson played a slide show of the tribute song “Before You Go” by Sam Bierstock and John Melnick, which includes the line “you saved our lives and we’re still free.”

“It’s more important now because we are at war, but it’s important also to remember the sacrifice that the men and women in uniform performed for this country to keep America safe,” said Albert Ballard, of Lawrence, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who served in Vietnam.

A freezing tribute

With temperatures dipping below 40 degrees and wintry precipitation beginning to fall Friday night, four ROTC cadets and midshipmen representing the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy stood still outside the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials on the Kansas University campus.

The vigil is an annual tradition that coincides with Veterans Day. For 24 hours, 96 total cadets and midshipmen participate with four students standing guard for one hour each.

“For each cadet that comes out here for an hour, it’s one hour to stop and really reflect on the bigger picture of serving a cause greater than yourself,” said Maj. Gary Farley, of the Army ROTC.

Other communities in the area also paid major tributes for Veterans Day on Saturday. Ottawa was host to a parade to coincide with other activities. In downtown Leavenworth, Cavalry Buffalo soldiers were grand marshals of the parade.

On duty in Iraq

Marine Chief Warrant Officer Donn Dunkle, of Lawrence, fought back tears as he thought about the younger Marines he has commanded during his two tours of duty in Iraq.

“These kids are amazing, amazing kids. They will do things every day that will surprise you,” he said.

Dunkle addressed the veterans groups and others during the morning ceremony at the legion in Lawrence. He called Saddam Hussein a brutal dictator.

Dunkle admitted the war had grown tough, and he said he had no idea how long it would take to stabilize the fighting in the country, which is made up of two main religious sects.

But he said coalition forces have helped make progress. Iraqis are now producing 1,420 megawatts of electricity, and before troops leave, they hope the Iraqis can produce 18,000 megawatts. They are also producing 2.5 million barrels of oil per day with plans to increase that to 3 million, he said.

And Dunkle said troops have also helped build 835 schools with more in the works, and the country now has 352 police facilities and 248 border forts, with plans to increase those to 402 and 255 respectively.

Dunkle also relayed three more personalized stories to emphasize his experience in Iraq.

He recalled Iraqis beating Saddam’s statue with their shoes when Baghdad fell in 2003, a young Iraqi girl giving a bouquet of flowers and a kiss to a Marine, and a group of Iraqis pushing Marines away from a suicide bomber in a marketplace to save their lives.

“Do the Iraqis want us there? I think so,” Dunkle said, as he asked for Americans to practice patience.

“They have a chance for democracy, something that a lot of people in this country take for granted,” he said.

Veterans Day perspective

Vickie Nitsch, of Lawrence, called the ceremony at the legion a good tribute.

“We found out a few things about Iraq,” she said.

Nitsch’s son served in the Navy, and other family members are also military veterans. She said she had begun to wonder about why troops were still in Iraq.

Army veteran Alan Fisher, of Lawrence, said Veterans Day gives veterans and their families a chance to celebrate their friendships and experiences.

“I felt like it gave me discipline and it gave me comradeship that I have not forgotten and won’t forget,” he said.