On this Armed Forces Day, we should never forget those who serve. It is not about war, it is about making the public aware of the everyday citizens and noncitizens who are in service to our country.

It is about the formation of our Department of Defense which was intended to unify our armed forces. It would better utilize the military units and be aware of what was really needed if the time arose, rather than one branch of the service deciding it might go it alone in the predicament it may find itself in and making the assets of all departments available.

The men and women of the armed forces who are the core of today’s DoD have a different military than those of earlier days. These differences are appreciated and encouraged because the ability to react with a lessening of the loss of human life when it comes to those events is diminished.

Wherever they are they have families and many will return after their service is completed and they share the skills they have learned. The missions are not just war but also in helping out our fellow countrymen when there are disasters at home and abroad.

We should thank those who serve by taking a moment to think of someone we know or a service member that we see. Call the United Service Organizations (USO) at 1-800-876-7469. They brought the laughs and memories back to the service members, if even for a minute.

Stan Ginish

Houlton