John Adams — writing to his wife, Abigail — believed that Independence Day would “be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival ... to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

Two recent presentations — one in Oxford, the other in Columbus — addressing human trafficking in Ohio has compelled me to write this article. I was shocked to learn that Toledo ranks fourth in the nation behind Miami, Fla., Portland, Ore., and Las Vegas for the number of arrests, investigations and rescues of domestic minor trafficking victims.

The commission was created by the General Assembly in 2000 and reestablished in 2007 by Gov. Ted Strickland.

The commission defines its mission as “Enhancing the well being of Ohio’s children by inspiring and supporting diverse groups and communities to improve the quality of fatherhood.”

“If you’re blessed with children, there’s not a higher calling than to love and influence them to become responsible adults,” Derickson said. “The need has never been greater in our state and country for fathers to teach responsibility to their children and play an active role in their lives.”

Veterans Day is an annual celebration of our nation’s military veterans who volunteered themselves to the greater causes of freedom and the American spirit.

There are nearly 25 million veterans living in our country today, and these heroic men and women deserve our esteemed gratitude for their service.

Veterans Day, originally called “Armistice Day,” marked the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. This day was designated by President Woodrow Wilson as a day commemorating world peace and the veterans of World War I.