To the editor:

On Nov. 11, 2016, I attended a service at our town hall, organized to remember all those who have served our country in the military. 

Barrington honors those who served.

It was a short, but impactful recognition of the millions of men and women who think of others before they think of themselves, who allow us to sleep at night while they keep our country safe, who sometimes make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in order to protect the rights and freedoms we often take for granted. Our new town manager, retired Navy Captain Jim Cunha, spoke eloquently about the importance all veterans place on service to others. Approximately 30 or so people attended.

Nearly 117,000, Americans perished in World War I. World War II saw a devastating total of nearly 417,000 American casualties. In the Korean War over 36,000 American men and women died, over 56,000 in Vietnam and 7,000 more Americans gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even today, the military continues to protect us against Al Qaeda, Isis, and others in the global war on terrorism. If not for them, our rights would only be words on a piece of paper.

Several weeks ago over 300 people exercised their right to protest over what they believed was unnecessary criticism about their choice of clothing. Without our veterans, none of us would enjoy that right today.

Hundreds march in Hampden Meadows.

My hope is that next year, they and others will attend the ceremony on Veterans' Day to show their gratitude to the men and women whose service affords all of us the right to show our displeasure in the form of a public protest. 

May God bless our veterans and may God bless America.

Mary Teixeira

Barrington