FARMINGTON — It’s always a happy day when you wake up in a free country, Greg Patterson said as he welcomed those at at Veterans Day service Friday.

“Thanks to our veterans,” the Walmart manager said, addressing the crowd outside the local store.

Standing under cloudy skies with a chilly wind, Master of Ceremonies Gordon Webber reminded the Sandy River Young Marines that although he knew they were cold, soldiers endure hardships of all kinds and make sacrifices for all our freedoms.

It’s something done not for glory and honor.

“‘We’re just doing our job, nothing special,'” state Sen. Tom Saviello said is the response he hears from area veterans.  “It’s humbling to interview them,” he added.

When Erlon Rose, past state commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, returned from the Pacific Theatre in World War II, he was thanked and greeted as a hero but not so for those in the Korean War and Vietnam, he told the audience.

All servicemen step forward to ensure citizens’ safety and security, not for the glory but to protect. A word of thanks doesn’t hurt though, Rose said on the day set aside to remember, honor and thank the sons and daughters who have served the nation.

Young Marines remembered the fallen soldier while the Franklin County Fiddlers rendered songs from the various branches of service. Bagpiper Bob Underwood provided tribute to veterans, and store employee Katie Smith sang the national anthem.

Along with the tributes and greetings, a University of Maine at Farmington professor originally from Iran voiced his appreciation for the United States and American soldiers.

Professor Ali said he came to America in 2000 for a better education but found a land of people filled with kindness, friendliness and compassion.

“A second home where people are no different than me,” he said. “The nature of human beings is the same.”

While his homeland’s government fights against America, 95 percent of the Iranian people love Americans and support the American troops, he said, encouraging everyone to focus on kindness, friendliness and compassion.

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