ARLINGTON — “Fewer than ten percent of Americans can claim the title of ‘veteran,’ because ‘bad-ass American’ is not a job title,” American Legion Post 76 Cmdr. Chris Raboin said, as he addressed attendees of the Legion’s Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11. “Less than one percent are currently defending us in the global war on terror. That debt can never be repaid, but the gratitude of our response must last forever.”

The Legion’s free meal for vets capped off a day of observances in honor of veterans in Arlington, starting with the Veterans Day parade at 11 a.m.

Raboin and his fellow Operation Desert Storm veteran, Post 76 Sergeant-at-Arms David Delancy, agreed that as much attention needs to be paid to those on active-duty as those who have already completed their military service.

“Most Americans already profess to love their veterans,” Raboin said. “While this is usually sincere, the heroism that our veterans demonstrate around the world can still sometimes go unnoticed.”

Just as military members often endure long separations from their families and miss occasions such as anniversaries and children’s birthdays, Raboin pointed out that military spouses have to deal with frequent moves and career disruptions. Even the children of service members cope with changing schools and having to make new friends.

“And they live with the uncertainty that their loved ones serving overseas will live through their next combat tours of duty,” Raboin said. “Our warriors and their families need advocates, which is why the Legion is here.”

Marty Cress, a Vietnam veteran, joined Delancy in conducting the ceremony honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action. He reflected on the sacrifices that his wife made, during his 30-year Navy career on board submarines.

“It was hard on her,” Cress said, noting that he’d be unable to contact her for 60-70 days at a time while at sea. “I couldn’t send her letters, and she didn’t know when I was coming back. Whether you’re a combat veteran or you’re just serving overseas, you’re still gone from home and away from your family.”

Delancy is fond of former President Calvin Coolidge’s quote, “The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.” He had it installed on a memorial display in the Post Lounge, consisting of Delancy’s dog tags, fellow Legion member Randy Harper’s rifle, the desert boots of a veteran who prefers to remain anonymous, a bullet box supplied by Anthony Perez, and a flag paid for by Harper and Delancy.

Four generations of Delancy’s family have served in the military. When Desert Storm commenced in 1991, he requested a transfer to a unit that would see combat in Iraq.

“I volunteered,” Delancy said. “Uncle Sam didn’t take me. I just wanted to follow in the footsteps of my family. My grandfather was a medic, and my great-grandfather was in the infantry.”

Delancy’s uncle made it out of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and his father survived the attack on the Pentagon. But long before 9/11, one of his biggest regrets was not being able to go further in Desert Storm.

“If we’d been allowed to do our jobs back then, we wouldn’t have all these young men and women dying over there right now,” Delancy said. “We were right there, and we had the support of the people back then, so all we would have had to do was cross that magic line.”

Raboin finally got to honor one of the Legion’s civilian supporters this Veterans Day. He presented a certificate of appreciation to Post Lounge manager Debbie Jackson, who was hospitalized as a result of a break-in at the Lounge the day before the March 22 Oso slide.

“They beat on her pretty bad,” Raboin said. “Insurance covered most of our losses, but at the same time, we were trying to provide support to Oso, and she played a huge role in coordinating clothing and food drives with the Red Cross and FEMA.”

Raboin touted the Legion’s work in rebuilding Darrington’s community center as an example of how veterans continue to give to their country.

“Veterans give of their own freedoms to ensure the freedoms and security of the greatest nation on Earth,” Raboin said. “It’s impossible to put a price on that.”