(CHEROKEE, IA) Veterans Day is a day set aside to honor our nation's brave soldiers and fallen heroes. Men from the greatest generation celebrated in Cherokee.

"Without them we wouldn't be sitting here doing the things that we're doing today because they made the ultimate sacrifice to make sure that this country's free," says Mike Henrich, Navy Veteran.
   
More than 60 years after the end of World War II, Cherokee's youngest generation honors the greatest one.

"Well just the fact that people can appreciate what we had to do," says Arthur Ryden, WWII & Korea Veteran.

At 94, Art Ryden is one of Cherokee's oldest veterans. He knows what it means to sacrifice - he lost a brother in the war.
  
"You've got an awful rough life ahead of you but if you're willing, it's a great thing to serve for your country," says Ryden.

Bill Walsh is celebrating his 80th Veterans Day - his father fought in World War I.

"I think that people should remember that everybody who went to the service put their life on the line," says Bill Walsh, WWII & Korea Veteran.

Every one of these men remembers their service - Cecil Akin fought in Iwo Jima.

"We lost so many Marines there it's sad. You're just, you're practically walking over them, you know," says Cecil Akin, WWII Veteran.    

Despite the memories some would rather forget -

"We made a lot of friends but you make friends and lose them fast too," says Ralph Godfrey, WWII & Korea Veteran.

Our country will never forget what they sacrificed for freedom.

"We fight for everything we have. We always have," says Akin.

"It's about the good best country that there is. I wouldn't want to be in any other," says Godfrey.

Inside the Cherokee County Veterans Affairs office, Director Dana Evans has collected thousands of pieces of military memorabilia, including the signatures of more than 300 Cherokee veterans - one as far away as Great Britain.

Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.