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BURNHAM - Area residents packed the Birch Hill Club Tuesday to honor America's soldiers during the Lewistown Rotary meeting in Burnham. The gathering featured special guests Sgt. 1st Class David Haubrick and Capt. Joshua Herr, of the 2/112th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade, in honor of Veterans Day today.

Rotary member Rob Burns said Veterans Day has gone by many different names, and even was observed during a different month. In 1978, former U.S. President Gerald Ford declared Veterans Day to be observed on Nov. 11, which it remains to this day.

"Our country is forever indebted to our veterans and we proudly honor this day," he said.

George Anderson, an honorary Rotarian, said veterans too often are not recognized and not given thanks.

"We owe these people a debt of gratitude," he said, for taking the time out of their lives and careers so the American people may live freely.

Anderson called upon those in attendance that served in the Marines, the Air Force, the Navy and the U.S. Army.

Each of the men were given badges according to the services they provided.

Herr then introduced himself as an information technology coordinator who just returned from Iraq.

Haubrick introduced himself and explained that there should be a special day for wives of veterans.

"It's tough for them, too," he said.

Herr and Haubrick presented a slideshow on their stay in Iraq. Pictures included scenery, the soldiers' living quarters and Saddam Hussein's palace, which Haubrick said is all man-made and includes marble interior.

"That's how he and his staff lived until we came," he said.

Other pictures included sand storms and Iraqi children on the street.

Haubrick said the children were always smiling even though they had nothing.

"That's really what kept us going," he said.

Addressing a question from an attendee about the accuracy of the media's portrayal on the situation in Iraq, Haubrick said the media tends to show what U.S. soldiers are doing wrong, instead of the good things they are doing.

"There's a lot of good things going on in Iraq," he said, adding that the government, among other aspects, are beginning to improve.

Addressing another question about the Iraqi reception of U.S. soldiers on the streets, Haubrick said for the most part they felt welcome.

"They have nothing, yet they invite us in for tea," he said.

Another attendee asked about the men's normal routine. Herr explained that since he was an IT coordinator, he monitored the generator power for the computers. If power was shut off, he wouldn't be able to communicate with other soldiers, he said.

Often Herr worked from 9 a.m. to midnight, he said.

Haubrick said his mission was to "catch bad guys." He did this by tracking them down and approaching them in their homes, he said.

To another question about the soldiers' long term prediction of Iraq's future, Herr said Iraq needs basic infrastructure.

"There are key players," he said, explaining that 95 percent of the people in Iraq want it to be a good place.

"Time will tell," he said.

Another question from an attendee was if the United States has a big presence in rebuilding Iraq.

Herr replied, "That's what we're doing right now."

He said Iraq needs reconstruction and to make power. Currently, the country's residents don't have electric bills or cable bills. They do use cell phones, though, and get their power from sharing power lines. Sewers and canals, Herr said, also need rebuilding projects.

Responding to another question from an attendee about what happens to Iraqis that are caught by Haubrick and other officials, Haubrick said as of January 2009, warrants are required to capture those causing trouble.

Those men, he said, are brought to a U.S. post. They are kept for 24 hours, Haubrick said, and are communicated with by trained interrogators.

After that, they are released to Iraqis who also attempt to get information from them. If enough information is gained, they could be sent to an Iraqi jail, Haubrick said.