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They served so we could live free

They’ve never asked for thanks, but they’ve earned it a thousand times over. Every parade, every flag raised, every quiet moment of freedom enjoyed on a Monday morning exists because, somewhere, someone once stood between danger and home. Veterans Day isn’t a gift to them; it’s a reminder to the rest of us. Across Mifflin and Juniata counties, you’ll find them everywhere—men and women who wore the uniform and came home to build lives, families, and towns that still depend on their quiet strength. They don’t ask for recognition. They don’t boast about their service. But ...

Family caregivers should be recognized

Among the many other designations for November is National Family Caregivers Month — a time to recognize the role played by those who sometimes jeopardize their own long-term financial, physical and mental well-being to instead care for a loved one in need. According to data from AARP West Virginia, approximately 26% of Mountain State adults fall into the category of being a family caregiver. These people are often unpaid — and on their own — taking care of older parents, spouses and others for whom no one else has stepped up. In fact, AARP estimates there is approximately ...

Compromise necessary for progress

No matter when and/or how Pennsylvania’s budget impasse ends, members of the General Assembly need to exercise an examination of conscience into why they allowed the current fiscal embarrassment to persist for so long — now having passed the three-month mark for a basic budget-preparation responsibility that should have been completed by the June 30 deadline. There are people in this state who believe if lawmakers can’t do that, they should resign and presumably allow someone more responsible and responsive to take their place and finish the work. Meanwhile, there are other ...

Violence is never the answer

A makeshift memorial grows in size at the Turning Point USA headquarters after the shooting death at a Utah college of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder and CEO of the organization, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Political disagreements should never lead to physical violence. That seems an obvious thing to say, but the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is evidence that it must. Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 when 22-year-old Tyler Robinson fired a single shot, killing him. Prosecutors said Robinson, ...

Veterans Day offers chance to reflect

On Tuesday, this nation celebrates Veterans Day, which honors all who have served honorably in this country’s armed forces. And, when veterans come to mind, so should the principle of loyalty to the nation. Men and women who served honorably in the past and those future veterans still serving honorably deserve the respect and admiration of all of their countrymen and women. On the issue of loyalty, they have demonstrated — or still are demonstrating — dedication to America’s goals, aspirations — and, yes, best interests — even if their job in the military did not — or ...

A vast, divergent land

The United States of America is 3.8 million square miles, filled with 340 million people, producing over $30 trillion in gross domestic product per year. We are the fourth largest country by land, third by population and first by GDP. We no longer know each other, care for each other or like each other. We are a nation of isolated people staring at screens and filled with existential terrors about the other, whoever the other might be. On Tuesday night across America, those existential terrors played out with fear of the other. Hispanic voters who voted for President Donald Trump and ...