The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was slow in responding to Jimmy Coggins’ request for help, but his patriotism never wavered.

Mr. Coggins, 57, who retired from the Army in 1990 after 20 years’ service, was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The chemical may have caused his diabetes. He was declared 20 percent disabled, then 100 percent. He has lost two legs and is on kidney dialysis. He asked the VA in 2006 for financial assistance so he could modify his house and buy a vehicle to accommodate his service-related handicaps. A few days ago, he said he felt the VA was stonewalling. But now the VA has promised assistance.

“A year is too long to wait in a situation like this,” Mr. Coggins told The Daily’s Ronnie Thomas while an American flag flew in his Cullman County yard. “But I’ll always be a patriot no matter what. I’d stand up right now and salute that flag, if I could. And if they called me up, I’d go.”

The remarkable thing is that Mr. Coggins is not unusual. Veterans frequently demonstrate such sentiments — even those who have suffered grievously.

These days, nobody is required to sacrifice at war for the country. Military service is voluntary. Wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan do not impose personal costs on most Americans. It’s all the more reason for all of us to express appreciation to those who do endure such costs. But appreciation is not enough.

Veterans Day was Sunday, although many observances of it are Monday. It is a time to recognize veterans for their sacrifice and to renew the nation’s sense of obligation to them. Advances in medical care mean that fewer soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen are being killed in combat, but more are coming home wounded — some with serious injuries that would have probably killed them in earlier wars. Medical care for them should be the best. When they need other types of help because of war injuries, response should be prompt and red tape should be minimal.

We owe it to them.

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