With gratitude for our nation’s veterans

On this Veterans Day, I would like to remind us all that freedom is never free. While that phrase may seem trite, it is always true. There are 16.5 million U.S. military veterans living today who collectively have protected the freedom we all enjoy and should never take for granted.

Recognizing and honoring the service of our armed forces is especially poignant right now, as we are living in unprecedented times. In Ukraine, we are witnessing on the global stage what fighting for freedom really means and the costs associated with protecting it. At home, we are experiencing deepening divisiveness — with some even calling into question the future of our democracy as we know it. 

Consider this: Every face of a U.S. veteran is the face of democracy. It is human. It is here. It is our past and our future.

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Let’s put aside any differences and distractions and give thanks to our nation’s great veterans — today and every day. So when you say, “Thank you for your service,” think about what that service meant on the battlefield and, just as important, means in perpetuity for our nation, the United States of America. 

As a retired General of the U.S. Army who served in Desert Storm, I salute all our veterans with pride. As a citizen who is fortunate to live in this great country, I salute all our veterans with gratitude. Indeed, thank you for your service.