The Suffolk Ruritan Club and Suffolk Elks Lodge 685 together have done some great things the past few years.

One of the best joint projects the two groups have worked on together has been their veterans’ recognition. They have held a picnic event for veterans the past few years, and the event has been enjoyed by dozens of veterans and their family members.

New this year, the Veterans Appreciation Committee, which includes members of both groups as well as several other citizens, has commissioned a new granite monument for the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery.

The monument includes the logos of all five branches of the military as well as the logo that commemorates prisoners of war and those missing in action. It reads, “As long as there are veterans, we will never forget them. Thank you for your service.”

A new granite bench near the columbarium also will be dedicated during a ceremony at 10 a.m. this Saturday at the cemetery, 5310 Milners Road. The bench reads, “We, the people, are eternally grateful.”

These monuments are a small but lasting tribute to the veterans who are buried at the cemetery as well as their families. These veterans and their families gave up everything to serve, and the rest of us cannot thank them enough.

The public is encouraged to join the committee members and veterans at the cemetery this Saturday morning. We urge all who are able to go to pay their respects to those who served and to show appreciation to the Ruritans and Elks for this meaningful contribution to our community.