Greetings on this Veterans Day! Let us honor those who serve and commit to a cause greater than self. We salute all of our fellow Veterans and their families for their courage, honor, and sacrifice. Serving this Nation has been, and always will be, a privilege. The history of Veterans Day started as recognition of those who served in the First World War, but thankfully now it has expanded to recognize all who have worn the uniform in service of America.
In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th of that year as Armistice Day in honor of the World War I Veterans. In 1954, the 83rd Congress declared Armistice Day (which had become a legal national holiday in 1938) to now be called Veterans Day in honor of all those who served in all US wars and conflicts.
Today, we live in a troubled world, challenged by nations, rogue states, and extreme ideology that seek to destroy us and what we stand for. Although many of the Nations’ Veterans fought bravely to defend us and our way of life, we still face threats to our survival. The worst thing that could ever happen to America would be to forget those who have given some, and in many cases all, to protect our way of life.
Today we have over 100,000 brave men and women deployed around the world, on point for the Nation, prepared to give their lives in our defense. They are our sons and daughters, wives and husbands, friends and neighbors, who decided to give of themselves. Above all else, they are people of honor. For them, it’s all about “we and us” not “me and I.”
In our view, every day should be Veterans Day — not just November 11th. Just like Level Five leadership, commitment to honoring Veterans should not be a one day event; rather, it should be an enduring, every day effort to make a difference by recognizing those who serve. We are privileged to be in the company of Veterans, to walk the streets, vote at the polls, worship as we please, and pursue the “American Dream.”
Freedom is not, and never will be, free. Think about it. Thank a Veteran. Fly the American flag. Commit to a cause greater than self. Do something to make a difference — every day. Veterans Day is a reminder of what’s important in our lives, and who made it possible.
