Honoring America's Veterans and the Freedom They Defended

Today, America and the West commemorate Veterans Day, a time to honor the more than 40 million American service members who have worn the uniform and sacrificed in defense of the nation. The observance falls on the anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting in World War I, taking effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Veterans Day is a reminder that the liberties Americans enjoy have been secured and sustained by generations willing to leave their families, endure hardship, and risk their lives in service. It also reminds us never to take those liberties for granted. Freedom is not free and, as Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

From the Civil War to the world wars, from Korea and Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq, American service members have answered the call across generations and across the globe. Their legacy is preserved at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and in countless local cemeteries and monuments throughout the country. These places stand as lasting reminders of those who served, the families who supported them, and the many who never returned home.

Their sacrifices were not in vain. Their courage helped preserve the Union and end slavery, defeat Nazi Germany and the Axis powers, resist communist expansion, and defend the United States from threats at home and abroad. Much of what America is today was made possible by those who were willing to serve when their country called.

On Veterans Day, we honor that legacy by remembering not only what veterans endured, but what their service made possible.Their example reminds us that liberty must be cherished, defended, and passed on to the generations that follow.