I was only in grade school when the Vietnam War hit me where I worship. It’s not that I hadn’t paid attention to the world around me at the tender age of 13. It was unavoidable with front page newspaper stories and in-your-face live coverage of the war on the nightly NBC news with Chet and David. Those two commenters were in our living room as much as the old hound dog who laid in front of the fireplace while the news was being aired.

It wasn’t unusual for the girls in my class to sing at funerals in our Catholic church located right next door to my St. Michael’s Grade School. And so on at least two occasions that I can recall, we experienced the loss of a soldier parishioner killed in a land we only knew on a globe. And we sang the holy songs that accompanied our soldiers into the arms of Jesus.

We witnessed the solemn procession of the flag-draped coffins, the grieving families and the realization of the consequences of serving your country on a jungle battlefield. Only then did we really pay attention to those mostly men in uniform that we might run into on the streets of downtown Wheeling.

My girlfriend and I sought out the Army-Navy store downtown to acquire real Army green military style shirt jackets. It was our way of supporting the troops while protesting for peace.

It was a tumultuous time in our country’s history and those troops who served in Vietnam were not always warmly welcomed home. I never understood that thinking because I knew how my father felt about proudly serving his country in World War II. It was your duty and honor — even if you didn’t agree with the politics of the wars.

The memories of those grade school days have been brought to light once again as the faces of local soldiers have been erected on banners via light poles throughout Wheeling and other communities. Seeing those who served and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice allows us to mourn and honor them once again. But it also shows our pride in our military remains real.

Veterans Day is Tuesday, the perfect day to offer a tip of the hat and a thank you to all the men and women who have and continue to serve our country. Just look up and you might see one of those heroes from long ago staring back at you. Never forget.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.