To the editor:

Once again, our Hy-Vee stores honored and gave thanks to area veterans on Veterans Day by serving them all-you-can-eat free breakfasts at their two stores. In addition, many Free State High School students, some of whom arrived at the Sixth Street store as early as 6:30, were everywhere, carrying trays, getting coffee and juice, passing out long stem carnations, and oh yes, “busing” the tables! Our thanks to them as well.

And, to close with a bit of history: By the end of World War II, there were 16 million veterans. Now there are 2.5 million and they are dying at a rate of 900 a day. Also, Korean War veterans served 60 years ago. They are now in their 70s and 80s.