May has arrived and its times for our minds to go to springtime, gardens, Mother’s Day and Veterans.

We especially need to focus on Veterans — not just on Memorial Day May 28 but everyday that this War On Terror continues.

Many of us haven’t done a good job of remembering Veterans and don’t think they aren’t noticing.

One television news report recently interviewed Veteran of the fighting in Afghanistan who said front lines troops feel abandoned by us folks back home. “People go off to the mall and don’t think about us and what we’re doing.” He equated it to the attitude of Americans toward Vietnam Era Veterans in the later part of that conflict.

Back then the war policies of government and actions of the service people in the Vietnam Conflict were held up to great criticism. Stories were reported of soldiers being spat upon as they returned to the soil they believed they were defending overseas.

Surely our society has matured and realizes the error of that type of action in regard to soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel of today. Surely we can honor the sacrifice of those men and women and their families. Surely we can acknowledge what they give up in terms of time with growing families or their lives. A growing number of Americans sense futility in the continued conflict. Any beef we might have about the war needs to be focused on the policy makers and not the brave men and women carrying out the policies.

In the coming weeks, we will interview veterans of several American conflicts and help remember what they gave up and what they saw their fallen comrades give.

Easley Chapel United Methodist Church will host a ceremony honoring veterans May 27. They will also host a series of interviews with veterans from our community.

Check back with us about the interviews, think of the sacrifice , find a service person and tell him or her thank you.