GROVE CITY — Veterans weren’t treated like guests at Terra Nova House this week; they were treated like family.

The bed and breakfast at 322 W. Poplar St. in Grove City hosted five veterans and their wives for a free night Wednesday to honor them for Veterans Day on Thursday.

“I think it’s excellent,” said Peter Osborne, 33, of Morgantown, W.Va., who came with his wife, Lisa.

The Osbornes and the other four couples talked after breakfast on Thursday about their Veterans Day experience.

“For someone to go above and beyond (on Veterans Day) and be able to spend the night at a wonderful bed and breakfast to get away from it all, I’m very appreciative,” said Osborne, who served in Iraq with the Army.

“It was absolutely perfect,” added Karen Primm, who came from Smithton, Pa. to spend the night with her husband, Dave, 57, who was the only Marine among the group. He served in Vietnam.

“We had our anniversary on (Nov. 9), the Marine Corps birthday on the 10th and we’re here today,” Mrs. Primm said. “It couldn’t have been more perfect.”

Terra Nova gave all five couples a $10 gift certificate toward dinner at Nonni’s Corner Trattoria in downtown Grove City on Wednesday night, as well.

“I never had a better meal with better ambiance. We were treated like rock stars,” Mrs. Primm said.

The free lodging night to celebrate Veterans Day began last year with nine B&Bs in West Virginia. It garnered the attention of the Associated Press, which ran an article that went world-wide.

This year, 900 bed and breakfasts in the U.S., 11 in Canada and a handful in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, France and Africa came on board to honor veterans on their special day.

Carmen and Dorothea Cook’s daughter in Florida told her parents about the Veterans Day special after reading about it in an article.

Participating B&Bs could be found this year at www.bnbsforvets.org, including Terra Nova. “We hurried up and called,” Mrs. Cook said.

The couple drove up from Moon Township in Allegheny County.

Some B&Bs gave one free room for a veteran and his or her spouse/partner for the event.

However, Terra Nova’s owners gave all of their rooms.

“It filled up very quickly,” said Sandy Miller, who owns the B&B with her husband, Barry. “Barry and I have a heart for veterans.”

Those who called told their stories about being authentic veterans to try and secure a room. No matter how genuine, it couldn’t make the space the Millers needed to fill those requests.

“It’s sad,” Mr. Miller said, choking up.

Having served in Vietnam with the Navy, the 64-year-old vowed to do more during the year to accommodate veterans. “It may not be a free room, but it will be something,” he added.

After breakfast, the group shared their war stories.

Like many who served in World War II, Cook didn’t talk about his experience until years later.

About 40 years later.

“The association with all the killings and things, it was something that you don’t want to remember; but it never leaves you,” he said.

Cook, 85, fought with the Army in the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge. He and his band of brothers helped free Dachau, the first Nazi death camp. Cook earned two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars and eight Battle Stars for his service.

In the 1980s, he and his wife were visiting their daughter in Florida and the women encouraged Cook to participate in an event with a veterans organization.

“I didn’t want to,” he said, “but they made me go and I started opening up.”

“These men have such a bond, it gives me goose bumps,” Mrs. Cook added. “It’s such a great therapy for them to get it out.”

Unlike the fanfare World War II veterans received in coming home, Vietnam veterans “were ashamed to wear our uniforms,” Primm said.

The U.S.’s involvement in Vietnam was unpopular and war-weary troops received no warm welcome back from the battlefield.

The attitude toward veterans since Vietnam has changed, and “now we’re wearing our uniforms again,” Primm said, tearing up.

Mrs. Primm proudly talked of her husband’s service as post commander at their American Legion, including flag-burning ceremonies with local Scouts; one recently involved 400 flags.

A tattered flag should “never be thrown in the garbage or defaced in any way,” Cook explained. “You take it to (a veterans’ club) or to the Scouts to dispose of it in a proper manner.”

The Primms also believe that proper recognition is in order for U.S. soldiers currently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The show of support to the soldiers was much greater at the beginning of their occupation than it is now, Mrs. Osborne added.

“People have forgotten that soldiers are still over there. They’re leaving newborn children.”

“The news (media) doesn’t help,” noted Brianna Sheldon of Westview, Pa.

Her husband, John, served in Iraq, and was the only soldier among the veterans at Terra Nova still active. He is a member of the Army reserves.

“This is my first Veterans Day off. I’m in the media for the Army and I’m usually filming parades,” said Sheldon, 26.

“It’s nice to see people’s appreciation other than behind a camera lens.”

Terra Nova’s appreciation to veterans was also evident to Robert and Pam Crawford as soon as they arrived from Slippery Rock.

“We felt so comfortable, even when we stepped into the door,” she said.

Her husband, 56, served in the Army in Germany during the Vietnam conflict.

During Veterans Day, “It’s emotional to remember all the ones before you and after you,” he said.

No matter what the politics or culture of the times, the guests believe that the U.S. will always be the best country in the world.

“When we take our oath, it’s to uphold and defend the Constitution first,” Sheldon said--above obeying the U.S. Commander in Chief.