POULSBO — Even though Ed Stern is known as a financial wizard and a Poulsbo City Councilman, he is also the proud father of a soldier.

Stern’s son, James Thomas, enlisted in the Army in late 2004 and is currently completing training at the Defense Language Institute near Fort Ord, Calif. with the ever-present possibility of being sent into harm’s way.

Thomas, a 2001 North Kitsap High School graduate, enlisted because he felt it was his patriotic duty, Stern said.

“He didn’t think it was fair for them to have to stay longer than they were supposed to while he was sitting here being the head life guard at North Kitsap High School,” Stern said.

At that time, he said, the military was implementing a stop-loss policy to extend servicemen’s enlistments.

Like other parents across the North End, for Stern, today serves a time of reflection and remembrance as the image of a veteran becomes younger and younger.

So far, with more than 2,000 servicemen and women making the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and Iraq, no North End families have received American flags in appreciation of their son or daughter’s being killed on the field of battle.

Even though Stern knows that could change in a split second, that doesn’t dull his pride when he thinks about why his son is serving.

“To a lot of people ‘Support the Troops’ is just a rallying cry or slogan, but for many of us it’s supporting our children,” Stern said.

As a veteran himself, Mike Regis, who is also a city councilman and adult leader in Poulsbo’s Boy Scout Troop 1571, veterans have changed with each generation, but they are linked by a common bond.

“Conflict is an ancient expression in mankind’s history,” Regis said.

That conflict has its impact on each individual and that’s what the nation acknowledges on Veterans Day, he said.

“His comrades may be fallen and he may have fallen with them, but he has attended to their needs,” Regis said, adding that although no North Kitsap servicemen or women have been killed in the war on terrorism, many have served and continue to serve.

For Jim Henry, who is a Vietnam veteran, city councilman and father of a son who is a naval aviator, the attitude toward veterans has changed dramatically over the years.

“It’s a good feeling to know someone at least acts like they appreciate you,” Henry said. “I don’t expect a lot of things, but a ‘thank you’ will do.”

While he returned from Vietnam to an unwelcoming public, Henry said he is glad to see that today’s society is supportive of the troops, despite their feelings about the war.

As the city’s top-ranking elected official, Mayor Kathryn Quade stressed the importance of taking time to remember all servicemen and women regardless of their era of service.

“It goes without saying that no one should be forgotten,” Quade said. “It’s very important to honor veterans past and present and thank them for their service.”