At separate Veterans Day services in Gloucester and Mathews counties, keynote speakers spoke of the importance of honoring our nation’s fighting men and women and of the contributions they continue to make to society long after their enlistments are up.

"Their legacy is alive every day," Marine Col. Peter H. Devlin said of America’s military veterans, as he addressed the crowd at the Gloucester service, which was held last Thursday afternoon in front of the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial. Soldiers in the field, Devlin said, continually strive to live up to the memory of those who wore the uniform before them.

That evening, American Legion Post 83 hosted its annual Veterans Day celebration dinner and awards program at the post headquarters in Hudgins. More than 80 people attended the dinner, getting a chance to listen to Duane R. Bushey. From 1988 to 1992, Bushey served as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the branch’s highest ranking non-com...