A Shining Example to the World
Veterans Day, first celebrated as Armistice Day one hundred years ago on November 11, 1919, honors all Americans who served in the US Armed Forces. It’s a holiday – like Thanksgiving and July Fourth – when all of us, regardless of race, religion, or political beliefs, come together to pay tribute to a unique, treasured part of our country’s history.
Although only 7% of Americans alive today have ever served in the US military and less than 0.5% are currently in uniform, the men and women who served in the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard are the cornerstones of our freedom, the pillars of our democracy, and the cement that binds our country together.
Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard. - John F. Kennedy
From the American Revolution, Civil War, and “War To End All Wars” to WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and most recently Iraq and Afghanistan, our veterans, from small towns and large cities across America and every walk of life, have served, sacrificed, and in many cases died for our freedom, for the freedom of our allies, and for the belief that people around the world yearn for the ideals that we cherish as Americans: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Whether they were drafted or joined voluntarily, whether they served for three years or thirty, or whether they were PFCs or Colonels, our veterans performed their duties, became part of something bigger than themselves, and proudly continued a tradition started nearly 250 years ago by our colonial Minutemen.
As such, our veterans deserve our respect. And their families deserve our respect.
A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure. - Abraham Lincoln
For every young man or woman who enlisted, went off to basic training, and returned home a more disciplined, motivated, and confident person, the transformation from civilian to military life made an impact on them and their families.
Sacrifices were made not only by the individual in uniform, but also by parents, siblings, spouses, and children. We can all remember the high school friend, next-door neighbor, or co-worker who joined the service and the effect it had on their loved ones.
With opportunities for education, travel, and advancement came a slew of challenges: deployments, family separations, missed holidays, training operations, and, for some, war.
There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. - James H. Doolittle
But regardless of where they were sent or how their families felt about their assignments, our veterans performed their jobs, supported their teammates, and did the best they could to be good ambassadors for their country. And our men and women in uniform today do the same.
Our veterans have become a revered part of who we are as Americans. For our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and all those who have served at home and abroad in peacetime and war, today is their day.
But it’s also every American’s day. We’re all part of the Veterans Day story because we’re all citizens of the greatest, most free and admired country in the world. And that comes with a price.
Thank you, veterans. We salute you!
The valor and courage of our young women and men in the armed services are a shining example to all of the world, and we owe them and their families our deepest respect. – Bill Frist
Click on pictures throughout the blog for larger image and caption.
Feature image: NYC Veterans Day Parade 2016 (PC: Spencer Platt Getty Images)