CROWN POINT | Duty. Honor. Country.

The words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur as he addressed members of the Corps of Cadets at West Point were echoed Tuesday morning by Charles Faurot, a first district judge advocate of the American Legion.

The roughly 40 men and women who gathered at the Old Lake County Courthouse on Tuesday morning for the Veterans Day ceremony nodded their heads in agreement as Faurot encouraged them to honor the men and women who had served in uniform and to pray for the safe return of those in active duty.

"This day is bittersweet as we remember fond memories of friends and loved ones. It is a sober reminder of the cost of freedom," Faurot said.

Wrapped in her winter coat, Crown Point resident Debbie Thill held a bouquet of flowers and stood toward the back of the crowd. Her stepfather was a Vietnam veteran, and she said she always takes time to say thank you to veterans she sees, Veterans Day or not.

The ceremony was simple but poignant: a color guard, the Pledge of Alliance, a salute to the dead with gunfire, the playing of taps. The crowd of primarily veterans identified by their hats, jackets and uniforms, softly sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America."

"God, look favorably on those of us who served (and) are still here," prayed Bill Bradshaw during the benediction. "Please God, be kind and generous to those in conflict, defending our country once again."

Carl Vonasch, a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era, said he didn't think twice about braving the cold to come to the ceremony.

"It's called respect and honor for veterans," he said. "The veterans didn't get to choose if they went out in the weather."