A large crowd gathered in front of the Warren County Courthouse on Memorial Day to pay homage to the country’s veterans. State Sen. Brian Nieves delivered a speech titled “What Makes a Veteran, a Veteran?” His speech delivered the message that a veteran is not perfect and could be anybody from an elderly man driving slowly to a rowdy bar patron but that a veteran will always be a veteran and should be thanked, nonetheless, for their service to the country. “These men and women are soldiers and saviors,” said Nieves. “They are the finest and greatest testimony to the finest and greatest nation ever known.” Oftentimes, veterans go unappreciated or unnoticed, he said. “All you have to do is say thank you,” Nieves said. “Those are two little words that mean a lot.” He asked those in attendance to raise a hand if they were a veteran or had a direct relation to a veteran. Nearly every hand shot into the air. “Memorial Day is not the first day of summer, boat season or opening the city pools,” Nieves said. “It’s a day set aside to honor our greatest heroes. “It’s the soldier, not the reporter, who protects freedom of the press,” he added. “It’s the soldier, not the poet, who protects freedom of speech and it’s the soldier, not the campus organizer, who protects the right to demonstrate. It’s the soldier who salutes the flag and has their coffin draped in the flag.” Citizens and members of the V.F.W. shrouded the courthouse veterans memorial with wreaths. A 21-gun salute, followed by the crowd joining singer Ashlee Hodges in “God Bless the USA” closed out the ceremony. “It’s important for us as Americans to have awareness and remember that we’re likely surrounded by veterans,” Nieves told The Record. “Giving this speech is the highlight of my occupation. It’s my favorite thing to do in my position. “When I’m giving the speech, I cannot look up at the veterans or I won’t get through it,” he added. “I hold veterans in the highest regard. They’re the cream of the crop.”