Veterans Day 2010 presents us with a unique opportunity to remember and thank veterans -- past, present, and future -- for their service and their sacrifice for our great Nation. It may be hard to believe, but we are nearing the 100th anniversary of the beginnings of World War I, an event that forever changed the face of warfare and left us the legacy of formally honoring those veterans who gave their lives in faraway lands so our great Nation and our European partners could be free. Subsequent proclamations changed the intent for the day to one of honoring all veterans. With this in mind, I would like to make this Veterans Day a call to action. This year, while remembering our veterans is always important -- taking some tangible action on their behalf would be richly appreciated. A few ideas: Make plans to visit a Veterans Day ceremony at one of our national or state cemetaries.Go visit veterans in a retirement center or in a hospital and thank them for their service with your time and friendship.Send a wounded veteran a letter to say that you appreciate all that he or she has done for our country.Find a serviceman or woman who is deployed away from their home station and send a care package. Social media has opened up new horizons for communicating. Please use one of the social networks to pass messages to veterans.Consider making a contribution to one of the many veterans’ services via the Combined Federal Campaign.Find a way to help some of the families in our community who lost all of their household goods in the recent warehouse fire though one of our community assistance organizations. You can get more information about ways to help on our LYnC website at www.africom.mil/lync.asp.I have proposed a few ideas for action, but don't be limited by the list above. Talk about this with your family and come up with your own ideas. My point is to do something this year to demonstrate your support for veterans on Veterans Day. In closing, let me express to all the veterans who see this message my thanks to you and your families for helping to make the United States the great Nation that it is and for the freedom that we all enjoy because of your sacrifices. Have a terrific Veterans Day Observance! General William "Kip" Ward