Veteran's Day is November 11th

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of November in 1918, World War One ended. Arguably the most terrible war the modern world had witnessed to date was finally over. Few souls on Earth went untouched in some way by the war. So many served, so many died, and so many took the scars of their experience home with them and did their best to get on with life. All had hoped there would never be cause for such sacrifice in the future.

Of course we know the call came again and again. And despite full knowledge of the challenges, horrors, and heartbreaking losses, brave men and women answered the call. They have done so because they accept what it means to serve and defend our most deeply held shared values.  

This Veteran's Day I hope you will join me in a spirit of gratitude for veterans everywhere. I believe each of us can see our way to hold them in our minds— those we know personally and those we have never known. If you see a veteran, thank them. If you know the family of a veteran, help them. Let us pay homage with pride.