LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. (KPTV) - The Brookdale Oswego Springs retirement community held a Veteran's Day event on Monday.
Residents and veterans alike came together to reminisce, sing patriotic songs, and celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of those who've served our country from World War 2 to Vietnam, Korea, to the present day.
"I love it, we need this day as a holiday in our society," said Alden Cole, a Vietnam veteran.
Cole served overseas in 1968 and believes the willingness to protect others across the world is what makes America a symbol of freedom to this day.
"Forever, very important because we need veterans, we're like the world police in making things fair," said Cole.
The day was as much about remembering the people as the missions many were sent on. Gilda Burks met her late husband, Charles or 'Chuck' when he was a marine stationed in Rio De Janeiro nearly 70 years ago.
The couple married and had four children and 13 grandchildren, she says that selflessness rubbed off on her entire family and encouraged others to take on a role in the military.
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"He was the most wonderful man I ever knew, and I had him for 69 years, so I knew him well," said Burks. "I think my whole family actually honors Veteran's Day, it's so important to our country, we wouldn't be here without them."
However, the holiday is also a reminder to never forget the struggles many face when coming back from war, whether those concerns are physical or mental.
Michael Shapiro, another Vietnam veteran, who spends a lot of time at the Veteran Affairs hospital in Portland says services for those in the military can be difficult at times.
"I asked my doctor if there's anything to help us do better at places like this and he said, it's all politics," said Shapiro. "I said I bought that, you have to wait for deployment, but I had surgery on my leg, I had to wait literally six months, and I was in pain, so great when you get it, but it's tough until you get there."
It's an issue long-term that deserves looking into he says but, in the meantime, it's an extra opportunity to say thank you, from the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam.
"This is for the ones that made it and didn't make it," said Cole.