Independence Day weekend means food, fireworks and fun...but today many chose to say thank you.News 12's Jennifer Hudspeth was at Military Honors Day and spoke with one veteran who will never forget the meaning of independence.On July 4th 1967 Tom McLaughlin was watching a different kind of fireworks.... fighting in Vietnam, he was watching grenades and rockets explode in the sky.Tom McLaughlin says, "I was in the infantry and we had a major battle going on at the time."Today he shared his story... a story about a friend who gave the ultimate sacrifice that 4th of July.Tom says, "When I go to the fireworks and I hear the boom and I see the colors I think of Melvin Nooley who was in our outfit, who received a medal of honor that night."Jennifer Hudspeth says, "Today members of the community are celebrating Mankato's first ever Military honors day.It's a way for the public to say thank you to veterans like Tom McLaughlin and those who are still serving."Lorraine Little says, "The true meaning of the fourth of July is the fact that we have our freedom because so many men fought and lost their lives let alone their freedom, and we have a lot of privileges that other countries don't have and I think sometimes we take advantage of them and don't realize how lucky we are."An event coordinators hope will leave a lasting impact...Lorraine says, "I hope they get a feeling of patriotism and actually thank the people and realize how lucky we are to have all the freedom we do have."Freedom that comes at a cost ... something Tom McLaughlin knows all to well.Tom says, "To this day the significance of that fight and the fireworks which were actually live rounds and rockets and grenades and tracers... has a special meaning to me."In Mankato, Jennifer Hudspeth News 12.