Take your cap off and salute our troops! When I was younger I always looked forward to Veterans Day because I knew that it meant I got to have a 3-day weekend. Okay, so maybe I still look forward to it for that perk but as I have gotten older I have learned to appreciate those who have served and honored our country more.

In downtown Cape, there is no lack of men and women who have fought to protect our freedom. What's more exciting is that the veterans that I interviewed served in different branches of the military. Allow me to introduce you to a few of them.

Dru Reeves, owner of Horizon Screen Printing, has served in the U.S. Army Reserves and Missouri National Guard since 1987 and is still active today. Reeves is a Sergeant First Class (E-7) and he has held three positions during those 26 years including a 54B Nuclear Biological Chemical Specialist, a 12B Combat Engineer, a 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist and his current job is a Petroleum Supply Instructor. He says that serving in the military has given him both the ability to train others and develop employee and customer relationships, both of which are important in running a small business.

Laurie Everett from Annie Laurie's Antiques took away different skills from her job as Military Police in the U.S. Army from 1999 to 2003 that have aided her in being a small business owner. She learned that you have to push yourself beyond any possible limit. Everett said that "being a business owner is often about endurance and perseverance and that is often what you are up against when you own your own business - you work long, hard hours and in spite of obstacles and setbacks, you never give up."

Tom Meyer learned a different lesson by serving as a Seabee, Engineer and Equipment Operator in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972. The Seabee's motto was "Can Do" and he was trained to adapt to what he has on hand and not what is always available. At his business, Exit Realty, he is always adapting to the business environment.

Cathy Davis of Reruns served in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 1977. She attended 91B Basic Combat Medical Training and went on to be a 91D Operating Room Specialist. She said that the most important skills that she learned from serving are discipline and organization. Davis said "I now believe that you can do anything you set your mind to - mainly because if you couldn't do something in the Army, you had to find a way to do it or change jobs." She credits these skills to her success as a small business owner today.

How do you spend Veterans Day? With family and friends? Having a special dinner? Remembering those who have served? The veterans that I spoke with mainly just look at is as another day. Although a couple of them do catch up with old friends or participate in Veterans Day events. No matter how you spend it, be sure to thank a veteran for their service to our country - not only on this day but every day.