'Freedom is a sacred honor'

Army National Guard Major Frank Bart found himself on both the giving and receiving ends of Monday's annual Veterans Day recognition program at McHenry County College.

The Wauconda resident and Bronze Star recipient was thanked by college officials for his 20 years of military service, in positions ranging from machine gunner to company commander and division operating officer.

In turn, Bart honored current U.S. soldiers and thanked the scores of veterans in attendance for their love of country and sense of duty.

"Freedom isn't free," Bart said. "Freedom can be controversial and hotly debated … but for veterans, freedom is a sacred honor."

Bart told a story of a recent visit to a Cub Scout troop in Woodstock, where a young boy asked why soldiers fight to defend a flag.

The flag, Bart explained to him, stands for the country, which in turn stands for the 50 states, which in turn stand for each and every American.

Veterans of the United States' many wars "have made life in the U.S. a pinnacle of life in the free world. Freedom is their legacy -- their gift to us," he said.

Despite a wide range of opinions on the Iraq war, Bart stressed that a strong democracy requires active participation. Visiting veterans' graves, supporting veterans groups and teaching children about the military are necessary actions for a strong country.

In addition to Bart's presentation, the ceremony included patriotic music performed by the McHenry High School band and choral ensemble and a posting of the colors by the Combined Services color guard with bagpipe music.

Howard Polmow, a World War II veteran and Crystal Lake resident, said, "I come every year. They do a wonderful job."