The Veterans Memorial at Lycoming Creek Road and Cottage Avenue will hold a “Six Points of Light” ceremony at 5:30 tonight.

Jersey Shore Presbyterian Church, 235 S.Main St., will host a Veterans Day Prayer for America at 7 p.m. Friday.

We encourage all of our readers to attend one of these events — or both.

It’s important for us all to reflect on the sacrifices our veterans have made, and to pay our respects for those sacrifices. These ceremonies are just a small part of how we all can pay such respects.

We appreciate state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, for speaking at the event at Jersey Shore and U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, who graciously offered to speak at a Montoursville event that unfortunately had to be cancelled. This time of year provides us all an excellent chance to thank veterans for their service and to contemplate how we, as a society, can do more to serve the needs of our neighbors and family members who served our nation, often at great risk.

Clearly our nation can do more for our veterans. Our capacity to provide needed services has often been inadequate. We should expect more of our public officials in prioritizing veterans’ services. We also should expect more of our communities, our schools and neighborhoods in meeting their needs and welcoming them back into civilian life.

Attending and listening to either — or both — of these programs is a good starting point on that path. Let the veterans in our communities see a renewed commitment to respecting those who answered when America asked the most difficult requests.