Veterans Day is always a time to pay tribute to the countless sacrifices made through the years by our men and women in uniform.

November 11, 2011 was a somber occasion as Fannin County residents honored three young men who made the ultimate sacrifice: Clyde W. "Sparky" Cosper, Michael Shank and Miguel Wilson.

But later there would be time to celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home and to recognize the many U.S. veterans who reside locally.

Approximately 155 veterans and spouses of veterans are residents of Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home.

On November 13, 1943, Clyde W. "Sparky" Cosper was piloting a B-17 when the airplane broke up in a storm. Cosper gave his nine crew members time to parachute to safety, while the Dodd City native stayed at the controls and managed to hold enough altitude to clear the town of Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, England. Witnesses report seeing the B-17 already in flames as it approached the town. The B-17 crashed in a nearby field, killing Cosper.

On November 28, 2006, Army Staff Sgt. Michael Shank, 31, was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Logar, Afghanistan. Shank was a Bonham resident and a graduate of Dodd City High School.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Miguel A. Wilson, 36, was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Wilson was killed November 21, 2008 when he drowned attempting to rescue another solider while their unit was conducting a dismounted reconnaissance mission in Abu Sayf, Iraq.  Wilson was a graduate of Bonham High School.

Family members of Clyde W. "Sparky" Cosper, Michael Shank and Miguel Wilson were presented flags in honor of the three brave soldiers.

Chaplin Richard Danner gave a tribute to "Our Hometown Heroes."

The ceremony ended with "Taps" played by Blake Edmondson and a moving vocal rendition by Kristi Baker.