news-record.com

Veterans Day is Nov. 11.

Never have so many given so much to have a holiday in this country named for them.

Our active duty military are serving around the world, on land, at sea and in the air, so we can maintain our way of life.

Our freedoms are not free, and we owe it to our military, past, present and future.

We need to honor spouses and widows, as well. When the military member goes off to serve, the spouse must carry on.

Our military is made up of volunteers, and I am proud of that. But I do feel that everyone should serve our country in some capacity.

"There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer," (a line from the movie "Pearl Harbor").

Matthew 24:6 states, "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end."

To be prepared, we must have a military.

We are blessed to have young men and women serve our country in a highly commendable manner.

To support our veterans, we also have the Veterans Administration. When it comes to medical care, the VA ranks among the best.

Call these numbers to learn more:

l veterans benefits, (800) 827-1000

l education (GI Bill), (888) 442-4551

l health care benefits, (877) 222-8387

Nearby VA facilities are:

l Greensboro Vet Center, 2009 S. Elm-Eugene St., Greensboro, NC 27406

l Durham Clinic, 1824 Hillandale Road, Durham, NC 27705

l Durham VA Medical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC 27705

Nonprofits, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, also serve veterans. The National Veterans Service has a nationwide network of service officers available to help veterans, families and communities; call (800) 839-1899.

Others that serve veterans/families:

l the American Legion, (800) 433-3318

l Disabled American Veterans, (877) 426-2838; regional office in Winston Salem, (800) 827-1000

l Veterans Service in Graham, 570-6763

l Veterans service in Greensboro, 394-1222

If you have a computer, you can find out more about your benefits at www.va.gov

If you need to renew or replace you military identifications cards, Homeland Security Directive 12 now requires two types of ID, one of which must include a photo ID.

Call before visiting a military-ID-issuing facility. Local addresses and phone numbers are:

l 7838 McCloud Road, Greensboro, 668-0053

l 4105 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, (919) 664-6250

l 2725 Western Blvd., Raleigh, (919) 834-6461

Ernest C. White is a retired military and civil servant who resides in Gibsonville. Contact him at ewhite18@triad.rr.com.