PORTAGE | Some 50 residents, mostly veterans, stood out in the windy cold weather Tuesday morning to pay tribute to veterans near and far.

But tributes, said two speakers, aren't enough.

"As we stand here shivering, we think of our service men and women fighting in the desert sand of Iraq and Afghanistan," said Mayor Olga Velazquez.

She said the least "we can do is say thank you, thank you, thank you."

"How do you really say thank you? We owe them a debt that can never be repaid. True appreciation is express through deeds, not words," Velazquez said to those gathered at the war memorial in Woodland Park.

Velazquez called on those present to support veterans.

"Be vocal, be active, take a stand," she said. "The Veterans Administration should be fully funded. We must do better to improve health care for veterans."

Porter Superior Court Judge Julia Jent, herself a veteran, also called for the increased support of veterans who have already returned or who will be returning.

"We older veterans need to wrap our arms around the young ones," she said, adding that growing up in a military family she understands the needs of veterans.

"Not all wounds suffered in combat are visible, but you suffered. You put your dreams on hold or even gave them up. We owe you a debt of gratitude," said Jent.

The ceremony, sponsored by American Legion Post 260 and Veterans of Foreign War Post 7760, also featured prayer, a 21-gun salute by the Post 260 honor guard and the playing of taps by Legion member Bud Wilding.