Their Commitment. Our Responsibility.
There are more than 16 million Veterans in the United States today. Each joined the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and Space Force for different reasons, but no matter the why, they raised their right hand to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic both stateside and in foreign territories around the world – from Iraq to Afghanistan, Vietnam and Korea, Haiti and Cuba, Germany, Poland and South America, Saudi Arabia and so many more. And still stateside reservists and active duty troops are activated on land, on the seas, sky and outer space.
With their oath of service, the possibility of death was present. Their willingness to lay their lives on the line for others – their fellow Americans, their family, their brothers and sisters in arms, for freedom – was there.
It may have been abstract, felt far off or even far fetched, but each who swore to commit their lives as a protector and defender could plausibly pass in doing so.
A quote I read recently stated, “laying down our lives means standing up for someone else’s.”
And that’s what Veterans were willing to do for all of us who call America home each and every day. They were prepared to lay down their lives for us and one another, for someone else.
As the old quote goes, “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
For Veterans, they answered the call. And it’s our turn now to answer theirs.
Start by saying thank you. And, if you’re able, go beyond those two words. Ask Veterans about their service; why they joined the Armed Forces, the lessons they learned that they still carry with them and the friends they made.
Most of all, be an American worth fighting for. Let’s make every day, not just Veterans Day, a demonstration of our gratitude for those who were willing to lay down their lives to stand up for ours and show them YOU MATTER.
