The cold wind that blew through Veterans Square on Saturday was nothing compared to the home comforts veterans were deprived of during their military service.

Bradford American Legion Post #108 put on the annual Veterans Day ceremony in the square at 11 a.m., the traditional time for the November observance.

Chaplain Virginia Palagonia offered prayers and Commander Andy Ackler opened the ceremony, followed by multiple veterans whose speeches came from several angles but gave a full picture of the sacrifices made in war and the ultimate goals of freedom and peace.

Speakers included First Officer Keith Reed, Second Officer Clair Butler, Third Officer John Baxter, woman veteran Lynn Krakat and Auxiliary President Peggy Price.

In between the speeches, musicians from Bradford Area High School played patriotic songs, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless the USA” and “America the Beautiful.”

The ceremony is written to show the many faces of Americans, but it with the understanding that Americans share a nation in common.

During his part of the speech, Baxter talked about the United States’ system of government, in which change is instituted by majority rule.

And “voluntary obedience to the decisions of the majority” is “the virtue of discipline which must be ours in peace,” he explained.

Remembering that which Americans have in common makes the country strong during wartime — and helps bring people closer to peace.

“In our constant quest for an honorable world peace there is a need for unity of purpose,” said Price.

On Sunday in Bradford, the Frances Sherman Auxiliary of the Lt. John C. Roche VFW Post #212 visited veterans in local nursing homes. Sunday evening, a dinner to honor veterans was held in the VFW Events Center.