The armed services run through Albert Shepherd’s veins.

Tracing through his family history and with a grand-nephew in Iraq today, Shepherd, who served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1954 to 1956, said he has family members who served in every war in American history since the 1600s.

Americans will pay homage to families like these Friday and Saturday, which is the nationally recognized Veterans Day.

Vietnam War veteran Harry Dunn said joining the military is a commitment that requires incredible sacrifice.

“(Veterans) should be respected for what they believe in,” said Dunn, who served in three tours in Vietnam with the United States Navy from 1966 to 1968. “If it wasn’t for the military, there’s no telling what would happen to this country.”

And to Shepherd, Veterans Day is all about respect, too.

“It’s in respect to all those who have served in the armed services and keep the freedoms that we enjoy in the U.S.,” Shepherd said. “The freedom of speech, the freedom to vote — all that we have. People don’t recognize in the U.S. we are a lot different because we have these freedoms.”

The Museum of Northwest Colorado, 590 Yampa Ave., is paying homage to area veterans with a display called “The Cost of Freedom.”

“We were trying to honor all local veterans and their families,” said Janet Gerber, assistant director of the museum.

The exhibit boasts correspondence letters from soldiers to their loved ones, as well as artifacts and uniforms from every major conflict.

Gerber said the letters show intimate moments between families during times of war that exemplify the cost of freedom.

The Museum of Northwest Colorado is closed on Friday, but is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

On Friday, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4265 and American Legion Post 62 host joint Veterans Day services at the Craig Middle School flagpole at 8 a.m. and at the Moffat County High School at 11 a.m. All veterans and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

There is also a dinner at the Elks Lodge on Saturday night to honor veterans. But all reservations for the dinner have been filled.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, First Congregational Church, 630 Green St., hosts a veterans recognition ceremony during church services. All local veterans are invited.

John Henry can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 209, or jhenry@craigdailypress.com.