It’s Crawford County’s annual way of saying thanks to its more than 10,000 veterans on Veterans Day.

Active Aging will host the ninth annual “Through a Veteran’s Eye: A Salute” Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Lew Davies Community Building, 1034 Park Ave. Meadville. The free program includes an opening flag-raising ceremony, free public breakfast and speakers.

“It’s really important to say, ‘thank you,’ ” said Pam Roberts, community service director at Active Aging Inc. who helps coordinate the program. “We’d never be able to be here without their sacrifices.”

There are approximately 26.4 million

veterans nationwide with 10,589 in Crawford County, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

While the program will recognize all former or current service men and women in attendance, a special emphasis this year is being placed on World War II veterans. It’s because surviving World War II veterans are in their 80s or older, according to Roberts.

“We’re losing them,” Roberts said of the World War II era veterans.

The organizing committee had 12 World War II veterans on it when the event began nine years ago, she said. Now, because of the ravages of time, it has just three, with younger veterans now taking places on the committee.

George Wright, committee chairman, encourages anyone to come out to the program which annually attracts about 300 people.

“It’s upbeat,” said Wright, who is a U.S. Air Force veteran from the Cold War-era. “It recognizes the sacrifices made by all the veterans and their families. We want to treat our veterans as heroes.”

This year’s program will be a one-day event. About every three years, Active Aging hosts a multi-day event with speakers and elaborate displays of military memorabilia.

Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday with an outdoor flag-raising ceremony conducted by the Meadville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 52 of Meadville and the U.S. Marines 4th Truck Co. of Erie.

Republican state Sen. Bob Robbins will offer some brief remarks at the flag-raising. Robbins, whose district includes Crawford County, is a U.S. Army veteran.

The event then will move inside the center for a continental breakfast followed by guest speaker, Col. Udo Karl McGregor, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. McGregor is commander of more than 1,400 Air Force Reservists and has operational control of 12 C-130H aircraft. He also is the civilian leader for 400 Air Reserve technician and civil service employees.

Following Col. McGregor’s remarks, all veterans in attendance will be part of a special photo opportunity that will be organized by their branch of service. There also will be a separate special photo recognition for World War II servicemen and women.