VALDOSTA — Veterans worldwide were honored Friday morning at a Veterans Day Program at Martin Stadium.

“It is important for us to understand the democracy that we live under in the United States was and still is provided to us by the veterans of service in the U.S. military,” said John J. Fretti, Valdosta mayor. “Everything we hold sacred and dear has in some way been provided to us by the men and women who have served faithfully and honorably in the military, and we owe them the greatest amount of gratitude.”

During the ceremony, veterans in the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Navy were recognized. Friday was the 231st birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, and several Marine veterans took part in the program and a cake-cutting ceremony at the American Legion Post 13.

“With each returning veteran and hero the chimes of freedom still ring out,” said Phil Youngblood, veteran and master of ceremonies. “Let us remember that there would be no chimes of freedom were it not for our veterans. All too often they paid the ultimate price. They earned the title veteran. It’s a title that speaks of courage and sacrifice in the face of mortal danger; it’s a title that speaks of compassion and heartbreak in the wake of a terrible battle.”

Cadets in Valdosta State University’s Air Force ROTC took part in the POW/MIA ceremony, where an empty chair and table depicts those persons missing or taken captive in war.

“Today the struggle against international terrorism is different from any other war in our history,” Fretti said. “The global reach and integration of terrorist organizations and the global arena and terror attacks of insurgents and the cumulative effect of a cowardly enemy says to me that we need our veterans and military and their courage more today than any other time in history.”

The speaker, Maj. Dennis Sanchez, commanding officer of the Marine Corps recruiting station in Jacksonville, Fla., told the audience he had seen grown men cry in war not because they were hurting, but because they were hurt and could not fight alongside fellow Marines.

“America needs to know what our military is up against,” Sanchez said. “Whether or not we should be engaged in combat is irrelevant. We are there, and we are engaged in combat.”