How to say thank you to a veteran

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - The music provides a sense of patriotism and the words a sense of pride at the Dayton VA, but if you really want to hit the right note at this Veterans Day ceremony, Cindy LaPointe Dafler says all it takes is two little words, thank you.

"That means so much to them," LaPointe-Dafler says. "I've seen tears, I've seen joy just having someone say thank you, we appreciate what you've done for us."

Cindy should know.

Her husband Joseph LaPointe Junior received the nation's ultimate thank you, the Medal of Honor.

"He was a medic in Vietnam and he was attempting to rescue two soldiers," LaPointe-Dafler says. "Unfortunately they were all mortally wounded."

More than forty years have passed since her husband's death, but he's never far from Cindy's mind, especially on days like this when you can't help but remember.

"It's bitter sweet," LaPointe-Dafler says. "You can't ever replace your loved ones."

Cindy now tries to help other veterans and their families.

She volunteers with Gold Star Wives and the American Veterans Heritage Center.

Today at the Dayton VA's Veteran's Day celebration she gave out awards to the winners of a student essay contest.

One generation passing the torch to another.

"For them to be here mixed with our veterans and families and hear the different stories is very important," says Congressman Steve Austria (R) 7th District.

But more than hear the stories, they could see the pride as veterans like Eugene Wilson, who served in the Marines in Korea, stood for their service branches' songs.

"They're proud to have served and been the ones who made it home," Wilson says of his fellow veterans.

Because they all know not everyone made it back.

"I think about him everyday and I volunteer in his memory," LaPointe-Dafler says.