As we mark Veterans Day this weekend, my thoughts turn to the veterans I know and the kind of people they are.

First to come to mind is my dad, the late Jim Compston. Dad was just a teenager when he left home bound for Europe and the battlefields of World War II. His reasons were simple — America was fighting to stop the spread of evil and he needed to do his part. For the rest of his life, he continued to work hard and stand up for what was right. He rarely talked about his service, but it clearly shaped the man he became.

Five of Dad’s six brothers and two of Mom’s also served in various branches of the military. All shared those same characteristics of bravery, loyalty and devotion to family, community and country.

Outside of my family, there are plenty of other examples of the fine, upstanding type of people who have served or are still serving. One who I know and admire is Vietnam-era Marine Terry Wildman of Martins Ferry, who works to support other veterans and to ensure the community never forgets them.

For those veterans who are still with us, it is important that we understand that they pput their lives on the line for us and that we owe them our gratitude for that.

So, take a few minutes this weekend to think about the veterans you know and how you could show them your appreciation. Most of them won’t appreciate a fuss being made over them, but a friendly greeting, a simple “thank you” or some other gesture might go a long way toward helping them understand that we know we owe our freedom to them.