Veterans Day honors unique brotherhood, service of many

When two soldiers from different generations sit down and begin to trade stories, something remarkable happens. The years melt away. The details differ — different weapons, uniforms, and wars — but the emotion is the same. There’s a quiet understanding, a shared language that only those who have been there can fully speak.
That connection was clear when Vietnam veteran Marlin Seeman and Iraq veteran David McKimmey sat down together to share their stories for this week’s ANR Salute to Veterans edition. They were virtual strangers when they walked into the room, but brothers by the time they left, linked by sacrifice, survival, and a medal neither of them ever sought to earn. Both men carry the Purple Heart, awarded for wounds received in battle.
Their stories, separated by four decades and thousands of miles, share striking similarities. Seeman lost an eye to enemy fire in Vietnam, while 40 years later McKimmey survived a devastating roadside bomb in Iraq that claimed the lives of two comrades. Both recall the chaos of combat, the compassion of medics and nurses, and the lifelong challenge of healing from injuries both seen and unseen.
Their meeting was a reminder of what binds all veterans — those who have endured the unimaginable and returned home to rebuild their lives, raise families, and continue serving their communities. That enduring spirit of service is also embodied by Ron Elge, a Vietnam veteran who today carries the American flag as a member of the local American Legion color guard, stirring pride and gratitude wherever he goes.
Veterans Day is not just a date on the calendar; it’s a chance to reflect on the depth of that bond and the debt we owe. Our thanks must extend beyond words and ceremonies. Real honor comes through action — by listening, supporting, and standing beside those who once stood for us.
This week’s special edition is a tribute to all who have worn the uniform, and especially to those who continue to live out their service every day. The freedoms we enjoy are carried on the shoulders of men and women like Seeman, McKimmey, and Elge — ordinary Americans who did extraordinary things.
To all veterans, from every generation, thank you for your courage, your service, and your sacrifice. We salute you.
— Kurt Johnson