Edward Williams remembers what it was like to fight in two wars.
On Wednesday his country remembered him for that service.
"It's just good to know that you have people that still care about you," said Mr. Williams -- a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and one-time prisoner of war. He gathered with former and current military personnel at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta to mark Veterans Day.
During the short ceremony, speakers paid tribute to those who helped defend America throughout its history.
"Our nation owes a great debt to its veterans, whose service spans every decade since our nation was founded," said Col. Laurence Mixon, featured speaker and commander of the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade from the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon.
Such recognition never grows old, said Roy Howard, a retired master sergeant and previous national sergeant at arms for the American Legion.
"Since I served in three wars, it just feels good to be here and stay with it," said Mr. Howard, who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
He said much has changed since his days at war, mainly that fighting has become more reliant on technology and computers. He said there also seems to be a greater emphasis on preventing civilian casualties.
As new veterans emerge, supporting them becomes a mission for older veterans, said William Ware, who earned a Purple Heart in Vietnam.
"This is a day that we can give back to our fellow soldiers," he said. "We're a small community. We normally stick together."
Bringing together that community is one of the nicest things about the day, Mr. Williams said.
"It's just good to get together and see who's left," he said. "Since the Korean War and Vietnam War, we've lost a lot of people and we're still losing a lot of people."
Memories of such a loss were evident Wednesday morning at Evans Middle School where staff and pupils honored U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Justin DeCrow with a moment of silence during a Veterans Day celebration.
An Evans resident, Staff Sgt. DeCrow was killed, along with 12 others, during last week's shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas, where he was preparing for a yearlong deployment to Iraq.
His 13-year-old daughter, Kylah, is a pupil at Evans Middle.
"With this moment of silence, let's keep (the DeCrow) family in our thoughts," Principal Michael Johnson told hundreds of students, school faculty and visitors packed into the Evans Middle gym.
Staff Sgt. DeCrow's commanding officer, Brig. Gen. Jennifer Napper, remembered him as a good soldier who loved his country and his family.
And while honoring those who have fallen, Brig. Gen. Napper urged pupils to esteem other veterans in their neighborhoods and school.
"Tell (them), whether they are young soldiers or older veterans of past wars, that you appreciate their service and the sacrifices they have made, and that you're proud of them," she said.
Mrs. DeCrow and Kylah did not attend the Evans event. Fort Gordon spokeswoman Marla Jones said the family left Wednesday to prepare for Staff Sgt. DeCrow's funeral this weekend in his hometown of Plymouth, Ind. Mr. Johnson said he spoke with Mrs. DeCrow on Wednesday afternoon to express his sympathies and offer to help any way he can.
The school has sent flowers to Staff Sgt. DeCrow's funeral home in Indiana.
Kylah's classmates also have sent cards and messages to her and her mother, and the school is taking up a collection to help the family with expenses.
Thus far, the school has raised more than $400 with the hopes of raising another $600 before Friday.
"She is a model student, an all-around good kid," Mr. Johnson said of Kylah. "We just want to do whatever we can to help her during a tough time."
Those wishing to donate to the DeCrow family can drop off payments or checks, made out to Evans Middle, at the front office of the school at 4785 Hereford Farm Road.
Schools in North Augusta also honored veterans with help from members of American Legion Post 71, who supplied medals, propaganda posters and other items.
At Hammond Hill Elementary, the day was paired with Grandparents Day so pupils could have lunch with their grandparents before looking at the Veterans Day displays.
Principal Janet Vaughan said it was one of the largest turnouts she had seen for Veterans Day with more than 100 grandparents attending.
Staff Writer Julia Sellers contributed to this report.
Reach Donnie Fetter and Erin Zureick at (706) 724-0851.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The guy looks like a LTC and not a full bird...anyway, the armed forces are being broken and crying ain't gonna fix it. The problems are huge and the american public, ignorant as usual, don't even care - except on Veterans Day. The future is extremely dark because the People will soon turn on the military and the printing operations will love it, just look at Hood. The servicemembers are stressed to the gills, while others are gettin' fat & gettin' paid. The best part about being a soldier is - "retired"
Obviously, justus, you've never served. Have you talked to anyone about your tendency to be so negative? Do you have a a minister or anyone that can help you? It must be really tough living like that. By the way, if you make the picture larger, you'll see his rank. Colonel.
SSG Phillips can't even wear the proper headgear on a day when he is rendering respect to the fallen? Is this what they teach at Augusta State ROTC? This is a darn shame when we have published standards, yet NCOs will pick and choose what they want to adhere to. Way to represent, Battle.
Dear don't-have-a-clue-never-served. That is a full bird Colonel. Why are "the people" going to look at Hood to turn on the military? It was a terrorist attack from within, plain & simple. A radical muslim doing what the Koran tells them to. "The people" you are reffering to are...? No, the best part of being military was serving, retired kinda sucks, since our benefits are being sucked dry by this current CiNC. Show me a retired service member that doesn't still have to work. Most do, because all that they were promised, isn't happening. I attended a meeting yesterday that recognized the veterans at my company, lots had 20, 22, 23 years service, but were still working. For some, I'm sure, that's they're ethic, it is for me. For others it's a necessity. So, the best part is retired? You're an idiot. Let's go back to starting out in the military; How many are eligible for food stamps because the pay sucks? Most aren't doing it for the money [filtered word], they're patriots. Something you obviously know nothing about. Pretty sure I won't read a response from you.
As a follow on, the COLONEL showed in the picture is black. How dare you denigrate your race. Never mind, you're a race baiting white guy with "mother" issues.
He wouldn't be able to serve in the military. Cat IV. And his daddy wouldn't let him, anyway.