As people of this country are well aware, loyalty to the best interests of the United States and the Constitution, which is the foundation of it, were virtually constant topics that permeated the just-completed presidential campaign.

Even with the election now past, fears persist regarding the directions that America will pursue in the coming years, and whether the wounds that the election campaign inflicted will ever heal completely.

Those are reasonable concerns and fears in these initial days after the national balloting.

But today 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 does not — involve actual combat.

The military services have many support positions with myriad important responsibilities. A service member does not have to have served on the front lines of combat to be deserving of accolades for his or her service.

Unfortunately, some of the disrespectful references to military personnel expressed both during and leading up to this presidential election year were unbecoming both to this nation and to the individuals who expressed them.

While not on the broad scale of the derisive “baby killer” comments that “greeted” Vietnam War veterans when they returned home, the most recent impact was just as cruel.

Hopefully, all of that can be put to rest, although not necessarily forgotten. Today is the right day to begin focusing totally on the good that has been the product of military members’ service, past and present, not on the proverbial bumps in the road that have taken place.

Subsequent action to correct those “bumps” over the decades have generally made the services and their members better in the performance of their duties and the missions in which they have been a part.

So, today, attend a Veterans Day parade, if you are able.

If children are accompanying you, explain to them the significance of the day and the significance of the parade participants, particularly the veterans. The goal, of course, should be to instill patriotism and the excitement that comes with it, even at their early age.

One thing for sure: Stress to them that the veterans were loyal to this free country and that is why they can enjoy their lives.

It also is appropriate to tell them that many children of the world do not live in a free country and that their lives are much different than children’s lives here.

Finally, today is a good day for this nation’s adults to reassess their loyalty to America and ponder ways they can help make it better, not more divisive.

We rightly honor veterans today, but all of us should reflect on ways we can be worthy of honor in the conduct of our own lives.