DAPHNE, Ala. — City Hall Council Chambers allowed for standing room only Wednesday, when the city honored service men and women and their families.

Guest speaker state Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) thanked the soldiers in attendance, reminding everyone of their sacrifices.

“I give a heartfelt thanks for your service and your sacrifice,” Bonner said, sharing gratitude with the spouses and children of those serving.

“It’s the shared sacrifice of the American family that allows our veterans to do what they do in time of peace and war,” he said.

Bonner asked where the world would be without American leadership and its veterans.

“How many people believe the world would be the same if those of the ‘Greatest Generation’ (had) not answered their call of duty?” The “Greatest Generation” — a term coined by television journalist Tom Brokaw — commonly refers to

 the millions of people who grew up during the Great Depression and enlisted to fight the Nazi regime in World War II; it also refers to spouses and children who kept the nation growing in time of war.

“It’s not easy to say goodbye,” Bonner said, of family members who must let their beloved go to serve a tour. “But it’s been easy to welcome them back.”

Bonner spoke of his February visit to Iraq and Afghanistan and the challenges he saw their people facing on a daily basis.

“Afghanistan’s the size of Texas with one paved road,” Bonner said, adding that 85 percent of the country is illiterate.

“Things we take for granted: clean water and fresh air,” he said, are not always available in poorer Middle Eastern nations.

“My job today is very easy,” he said. “It’s to say, ‘thank you.’”

“Many have given all for this country,” Mayor Fred Small said. “I’d like to recognize all the veterans and their families.”

As he requested this, more than half of the room stood up to be recognized.

“It shows us we live in the greatest nation in the world,” Small said.

Hunter Beasley sang the National Anthem; Daphne High’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps presented the colors; and state Rep. Randy Davis (R-Ala.) led the Pledge of Allegiance and “Taps.”