Patriotism, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Burley Malbrough told those in attendance at Montoursville’s Veterans Day ceremony, isn’t about slogans or politics but is about gratitude and stewardship.

“It is the belief that our nation – with all of its imperfections – is still worth the effort,” he said, according to the Sun-Gazette’s Wednesday edition.

“To be patriotic is to recognize the freedoms that are enjoyed come at a cost and to live in a way that honors that cost,” the article noted. “It also means learning history – the good and the difficult – so that you can understand the sacrifices that brought us here today and the responsibilities that come with being American.”

We agree whole-heartedly.

We believe our schools, churches, civic organizations, neighborhoods and communities must strive — every day of the year — to find how to express that gratitude and exercise that stewardship.

It cannot be a one-day-a-year or one-weekend-a-year endeavor. The debt we owe our veterans is far too great and the work to ensure our society values freedom and opportunity is far too important.

Lt. Col. Malbrough also is right about the initial steps we can take and we can teach our children to take each day to live up to America’s promise.

“When you stand for the flag, when you volunteer your time, when you treat people with dignity you are practicing patriotism,” he said.

We hope people throughout Lycoming County and its surrounding communities — and indeed, throughout America, from sea to shining sea — can respect our flag and treat men and women with dignity.

Veteran’s Day in 2025 was a reminder of our nation’s potential. Whether we meet that potential is up to us every day and up to future generations for the many days ahead.