Some people may view November 11 as just another freebie day off work. At BLASTmedia, we're all in the office today, but that doesn't mean today isn't a special day for us. Veterans Day is important to us because most of us know someone that we can personally thank for their proud service in the military:

Kelly:
Grandpa served as a pilot in WWII and Korean War
3 Aunts currently serve in the US Army
Uncle served as a Navy Commander

Chantal:
Grandfather, Jim Brenton, served in the Army during WWII and the Korean War
Grandfather, Joe Gosiniak, served in the Army during WWII
Step Grandfather, Bob Schofield, served in the Air Force during the Korean War
Uncle, Scott Brenton, served in the Army
Friend, Casey Stanley, served as a Marine and fought in Iraq

Ashley:
Dad is a Vietnam Veteran and earned two purple hearts
Grandpa, Bill Borton, served in the Army during WWII
Friend, Mark Bottorff, current Army officer, served in Afghanistan
Friend, Joseph Lipps, served as a Marine in Afghanistan, twice

Lauren:
Boyfriend Mark is a Marine, and thanks to HARO was recently recognized by Teen Scene Magazine.

Heidi:
Father-in-law, Greg Kroft, served in the Army during the Vietnam War
Grandfather-in-law, Bud Curry, served as Plane Captain on B17 388th Block H squadron Knettelshell, England. He was hit by a propeller while trying to put out a plane fire and rescue the pilot at the same time. He was discharged as a Disabled Veteran. He got to England aboard the original Queen Mary that was being used to transport personnel.
Her husband's uncle, Rick Curry, served 4 years in the US Navy. He was a jet mechanic on RA5C reconnaissance planes and made 3 cruises aboard the John F. Kennedy. He also made the first cruise of that ship.

Lindsey:
Best friend, Molly Price, serves as a Marine helicopter pilot and is currently stationed in Afghanistan
Grandfather, Ralph T. Hatter, was a pilot in WWII

Katie:
Grandpa Louis Shaver served in WWII
Grandpa Walter Wagner served in WWII

Hillary:
Grandfather, Clarence "Chub" Money, served in the Navy during the Korean War
Friend, Jamie Johnson, serves in the National Guard and is currently deployed in the Middle East

Margie:
Grandfather, Robert Alerding, served as a commander in the Army during WWII
Uncle, Jim Alerding, served in the Army
Cousin, Kevin Alerding, currently serving in the Army
Aunt, Regina Schaffner, currently serving in the Army

Carey:
Grandpa, Verle Major, served in the Army during WWII and fought at Normandy
Uncle, David Hart, is a Vietnam Veteran

Nationally, there are several high-profile event marking today's importance. In Washington D.C., Veterans Day celebrations are aplenty and recognize each military branch and war. President Bush honored all veterans today by rededicating a WWII aircraft carrier in New York, where you can also celebrate the day with the famous WWII kisser in the above photograph. President Elect Obama chose to commemorate the day by laying a wreath at a Chicago memorial.

If you aren't partaking in national celebrations, you can still find plenty of ways to celebrate our veterans in your own area. You can visit a veteran, participate in a parade, or simply recognize veterans' service with a moment of silence. Or you could take a cue from one man in Illinois and deliver free pizzas to veterans. Regardless of what you do, today is a day for all of us to all show some pre-Thanksgiving gratitude to the men and women who fought - and continue to fight - for our freedom! After all, if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have freedom of the press... and without that right, who would need a PR agency?