EDITOR,

As a proud Vietnam veteran who is preparing for Veterans Day, I find it tragic that so many of my fellow Americans view Nov. 11 as just another day off work.

I lost friends in Vietnam, and I made a promise to their families that they would never, ever be forgotten. With wars on two fronts — and the Veterans Affairs workload topping 1 million claims — it’s time for all Americans to remember the true meaning of Veterans Day.

I hope everyone in our area will remember what Veterans Day is all about. Come out at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 to the Tracy War Memorial, on East Ninth Street, next to the Tracy Community Center and take part in our ceremonies. Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel Hansen will be added to the list of those whose selfless sacrifice we honor — he was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

And as we near the holidays, please keep our deployed troops and their families in your prayers. Send a care package or donate to a program that supports our troops and veterans, such as VFW Operation Uplink.

Always remember those who have fought for your freedom!

• Vaughn Gates is commander of Tracy Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1537.