In honoring the veterans of today, U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska harkened back to the American Civil War and the words of Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln wrote a letter to Lydia Bixby of Boston in 1864 after he was told that she had lost five sons fighting for the Union Army.

In the letter, Lincoln speculated about "the solemn pride" Bixby must be feeling after she "laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."

During Saturday's Veterans Day ceremonies in Omaha's Memorial Park, Nelson paid tribute to Nebraskans who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The sacrifices of veterans -- past and present -- make it possible for all Americans to live a "fortunate life" that many people take for granted, Nelson said.

"Let us renew our commitment to our American heroes in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world," he said.

Their lives "have been laid upon the altar of freedom since the global war on terror began. Such a costly sacrifice, we cannot ever forget."

About 300 people, including three squads of honor guards, gathered around the park's war memorial to hear Nelson, U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, Rear Adm. David L. Philman and others honor the country's more than 25 million living veterans.

Philman, stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, paid special tribute to Vietnam War veterans. He said part of the reason U.S. troops enjoy such strong support now is because of the work of Vietnam veterans in service organizations.

"Our society is now welcoming back veterans in the way you should have been recognized when you were returning home," Philman said. "Vietnam veterans were poorly treated and, for that, all of us are sorry."

Today's military members are proving they've earned that respect just as previous generations did, Philman said.

"The young people of today are every bit as dedicated as those that have gone before," he said. "That includes the greatest generation (of World War II)."

Veterans Day celebrations were evident throughout the Omaha metropolitan area, capped by hourlong parades in Bellevue and Council Bluffs.

In Ralston and Papillion, American Legion clubs sponsored ceremonies to remember the sacrifices of all veterans.

At the Durham Western Heritage Museum, 801 S. 10th St., a spokeswoman said nearly 50 people had visited the Veterans History Project by midafternoon.

The project is presented by the Library of Congress and includes the oral histories of thousands of men and women who have served in the military.

A few blocks away, a tribute to Nebraska service members who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan was held at Heartland of America Park.

Nelson and Maj. Gen. Walter E. Zink were the guest speakers. During the tribute, 17 banners honoring the fallen service members were unveiled.

At the Strategic Air & Space Museum near Ashland, marketing director Sarah Lake reported a surge of visitors.

Veterans and members of the public filled the museum's library for a 90-minute roundtable discussion. Veterans, primarily from World War II, shared their experiences and answered questions.

"To hear the stories straight from the people who lived them was amazing," Lake said.

Sidewalk space was at a premium in Bellevue's Old Towne, where crowds gathered for the annual Veterans Day parade.

Gov. Dave Heineman got things started by firing a Revolutionary War-era cannon with the help of war re-enactors.

For more than an hour, bystanders cheered as columns of camouflage-clad Offutt personnel and veterans groups marched under a giant American flag hoisted from two ladder trucks.

High school marching bands, vintage military equipment and an airplane de-icer from Offutt that resembled a souped-up cherry picker kept the crowd entertained.

Gerald McKay was impressed. He has marched in the parade with fellow members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars since the parade's inception seven years ago. McKay served in the Navy during the Korean War.

"This is the best year we've had so far," he said. "There's so much participation, and the weather is really nice today."

Though the morning was a tad chilly, sunshine was not in short supply, and neither was patriotism nor gratitude for those who have served in the military.

Teresa Scoggins showed up sporting an American flag sweater, while her husband, Randy Scoggins, donned a leather flag jacket. It was the first time the Scogginses, who live in Bellevue, had been to the parade.

"I think it's important to honor those who have served our country," said Teresa Scoggins, who works with veterans at the Thomas Fitzgerald Veterans Home in Omaha.