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Veterans Day about more than just a day off

Veterans Day for many people means no school and shopping the sales.  But for veterans, the day means the recognition of their service to this country.

Veterans have been honored in central and northern New York at a number of ceremonies and parades this weekend, including a parade and a ceremony at the War Memorial in Syracuse honoring veterans of many wars.
 
And the yearly salute to those men and women who have served their country in the military is important according to Syracuse Veterans Affairs Hospital spokesman Robert McLean.

"Veterans, of course, appreciate the attention. But as it's been said many times, veterans should be appreciated year round, and veterans day for us isn't about sales, it's about people who have sacrificed, said McLean.

McLean says one thing  this country is doing a better job of in recent yeas, is embracing the vets who are coming home from wars, compared to vets who returned during the Vietnam era.

"I think our country has embraced in the last 15 to 20 years, has embraced our veterans from all eras, all wars, and it's very heartening to see that."

Veterans Day is every year on November 11 to mark the end of World War I, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year. Since November 11 fell on a Sunday this year, the government-recognized holiday is November 12.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.