Tiverton will mark Veterans' Day Friday, Nov. 11, with an 11 am ceremony at the World War I monument at Grinnell's Beach.  Following is a speech that will be read at the ceremony by Tiverton resident Steven A. Fisher:

"If there are heroes out there, I hope I don't offend. In my mind, their day is Memorial Day. Veteran's Day is for the rest of us. You say "Thank you for your service." That is how it should be. Veteran ranks are made up of mostly those of us who served, not "heroed." If the everyday warrior didn't have those who did the mundane things that make up military life, we would have no heroes. That's why we say to each other "We got your six." Those of us who served realize very few of us will ever be "heroes" and if you joined to be one, you're in the wrong place. We are willing to be in harm's way, not for glory, but for each other and those of you we want most of all to come back to once again. For many, again and again.

The real heroes are the family and friends who support us back home. Who always cheer and celebrate each person who was willing to raise their hand and go in our stead. Those of us from the Vietnam era know all too well what not having that did to our morale. We pledged never to let our troops not be backed at home by the people who sent them. Please let that forever be so.

To those who need a hero, let it be known that most come from the most unlikely of stock. It's that warrior who blends into the ranks nine times out of 10, then surprises all with feats of valor they never knew resided within them. Never let someone denigrate the service of another. We all SERVED!

Finally, I'd like to give a special mention to the women who serve. Those of my era endured much but they persevered. Our armed forces could not survive today without them. Give them their due. They've earned it. Those of you who took the time to recognize these sacrifices, realize you too serve. In your families, at your jobs and in your community. Thank you. Volunteer, teach, encourage and mentor the next generation and make the sacrifices of the past the endowment of our future!