Veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam are honored for serving to defend what was believed to be right, protecting freedom, securing civilization, and ensuring the survival of the American way of life. The sacrifice of those who went before is remembered with gratitude for their service to the country and for the families whose lives were changed forever. September 11, 2001, is recalled alongside December 7, 1942, as a day when the people of the nation were brutally and suddenly attacked by terrorists, an attack on freedom that renewed American determination to fight evil in the world and remain ever vigilant.