Veterans Day Newsletter November 11, 2011

The United States of America is the greatest country on earth because of the sacrifices of the men and women who fight every day to defend our freedoms and those of our Allies around the world.  For 235 years, our soldiers have fought on battlefields, across the oceans, and in the air to protect the American way of life.  Today, on Veterans Day, we honor this service and sacrifice by taking a moment to remember and honor those who have worn the uniform in defense of our Nation.

Although this is the 58th year we have officially celebrated Veterans Day, our history of honoring our veterans extends back much farther.  Known originally as Armistice Day, November 11 was designated as a day to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I, which went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.   In 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation extending the November 11th celebration to all veterans. 

As we honor our country’s veterans today, it is my sincere hope that each of you will join in not just another federal holiday, but use the day as a time to remember those who have served in our U.S. Armed Services.  As Iraq War veteran Phillip Carter put it so eloquently in this week’s Washington Post:

“Whether civilians fully realize it or not, the simple message of thanks sends a powerful message to veterans — that the nation will take responsibility for our actions in her service. In some small way, this collective acceptance of responsibility helps veterans to transfer some of the psychological burdens of wartime service to society. Such gratitude will not eradicate combat stress nor address every veteran’s experience. However, these small gestures do make a difference.”

It was their duty to fight for us overseas, and now it is our duty to fight for them at home.  I have spent my years in Congress working to improve the lives of our veterans and their families, and I hope you will join me in this mission.

So thank a veteran for his or her service.  Take a moment to reflect on their sacrifice.  Visit a local veterans’ cemetery to honor the fallen.  Join others in local charities that support our troops and veterans.  Write a card to a loved one stationed abroad or a friend who has served.  Not just today, but every day. 

And above all, remember what these brave men and women fought for – our lives, our freedom, and our country. 

To share in a small bit of our veterans’ history on video, please visit: http://veterans.house.gov/americas-heroes.