Most people when they think about veterans today tend to picture a stereotype of their grandfathers who fought in World War II or of their great-great-grandfathers who went off to war in World War I.

But really, there are many different kinds of veterans.

Jeffrey Sanders, a recent Trumann High School graduate who is now a private first class with the Arkansas National Guard, reminded students and the crowd gathered to commemorate Veterans Day on Tuesday, that a veteran includes anyone who ever wore their country's uniform regardless of whether they ever saw combat.

PFC Jackie Sanders stands during the playing of the Army song in the military medley during Veterans Day ceremonies Tuesday at Trumann High School. (Democrat Photo Mark Randall)

More importantly though, Sanders said it is because of the sacrifices of these veterans that we have the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today and often take for granted.

"These men and women are a big part of the reason we have the rights and freedoms we have come to know in our way of philosophy," Sanders said during the keynote address. "What do you think we would be doing today without the very actions of these men and women who are with us today?"

Sanders said most people have never been outside of the United States and don't know what it is like not to live in a free country where they can go to the church of their own choice or express their opinions freely without fear of repression.

He urged students to take the opportunity to sit down with a veteran and listen to their story, lessons and outlook about what it really means to live in a free society.

And just because war may not be popular, it is still important to show support for the men and women who are serving their country in uniform.

"By now, most of you have made up their mind about where they stand about our country's war, most against it," Sanders said. "There are great men and women serving. And just because you may not agree with the reasons behind all this, does not mean you should not support the troops."

Sanders concluded by encouraging the students to make the right choices after high school by seeking higher education.

He related his own experience of finding a job and of working at a factory assembling lamps for $8 an hour, and how most jobs today require some higher education or certain job skills.

A person who graduated two years before he did and is studying computer graphics was earning $14 an hour at the same factory making blueprints for lamps.

And a female designer at the shop earned more than both of them combined.

"We all worked for the same cause, but at three different levels of education," Sanders said. "When most of our parents were our age, finding a factory job was very easy. But in our day and age, that is even a hard task."

J.R. Wallace, 82, who served in the Navy in World War II in the Philippines, said after the ceremony that it is important for the younger generations to understand that freedom comes with a price.

"It's a good reminder of a lot of things," Wallace said. "I think it makes life have more meaning."

Wallace said he knew 90 percent of the names they read from the World War II honor roll who never made it back

"It makes you think about what we have in this country," he said.