"To me it means that we should never forget."

Vietnam veteran Jamie Stevens of Ocala says wars are a piece of the fabric that has made this country what is today, and that days like these remind the youth, that wars are necessary to establish and defend freedom.

"It's a shame that these kids are paying the ultimate price today as it's been with every war, but it's something that's necessary, that has to be done, if were going to keep the freedoms we have."
86 -year old Army Veteran Rufus Canterberry of Ocala served in three wars and says many american vets are often blamed for the conflicts in which they fought.

He remembers--like it was yesterday.

"It was my 18th birthday, september 13th 1940-it was friday..just wanted to be a soldier. The men are over there getting killed, and they're getting killed because they're over there fighting for freedom."

He knows firsthand what it's like to not know if you'll live to see the next day...and says many soldiers died simply doing their job.

"Lost a lot of buddies, seen them blown apart and scattered on the battlefield. it just brings to mind all the suffering this country has done, to be living in peace."

Just like Stevens...he too can't forget.

"It makes me proud to be an American."
In Marion County Shani Muhammad WCJB TV 20 News.