PARIS – Those who fought for their country stood among the crowd gathered in front of the Foster-Carroll American Legion Post on Thursday.

“The average guy you see walking down the street fought for this great nation,” said Veterans Day speaker Ted Heidrich, a former Marine and former state legislator from Oxford.

Turning behind him, he pointed out Otto Brandes, a World War II veteran who fought at Pearl Harbor. He spoke of Stan Durgin of Paris, who survived the Bataan Death March.

He pointed to James Taylor, the post’s Americanism officer, who flew B-26s in World War II and “fought all over Europe.” Taylor was standing with the post officers, facing the crowd.

He spoke of Stu Conover, who was injured fighting in Germany. And of Myron Pierce, who won the Silver Star for gallantry in combat.

“These are heroes all around us,” said Heidrich, who fought in Korea in 1952. He fought side by side with a boy of 15, who lied about his age to get in the service.

“The price of freedom is very high,” Heidrich said. Referring to all the veterans gathered around the post building, he said, “You see men and women that have given a lot to have what we have.”

The current war in Iraq is a war of liberation, he said. “We are going to let these people live in freedom just like we do.”

So the next time you see a vet, said Heidrich, “go up and thank them.”

Heidrich’s speech was followed by a patriotic song by the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School marching band, and refreshments inside the post.