By Wes O’Donnell
Managing Editor, In Military and InCyberDefense
This article originally appeared on InMilitary.com.
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is observed annually on November 11th and gives the nation an opportunity to honor those who served in the U.S. Military. Many other countries celebrate the same day as Remembrance Day to mark the end of major hostilities after World War I, but for Americans, it’s a day to explicitly thank a veteran for his or her service and sacrifice.
A life in the military is a life of sacrifice. Missed holidays, missed birthdays, long deployments and relocating your family every three years can be hard on a family. And yet, millions of Americans have raised their right hand and sworn an oath to defend our constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
Of those that served, there is a very special bond that transcends branch of service. Even among military spouses and dependents, the servicemember’s life and the struggles that a family endures strengthens bonds between veterans regardless of race, religion or gender. We’re all green and once we find ourselves in the civilian world, veterans take care of each other.
In this moving video, American Military University faculty, and staff who served, tell what Veterans Day means to them.
For more information on the university’s veteran-focused student organizations, check out Student Veterans of America and Broken-Shield-Wounded Veterans Society. For questions, please contact studentaffairs@apus.edu.
Video Transcript:
[00:00:01] You come to my home you will see two flags proudly flying on a flagpole in my front yard. The top in the United States flag and immediately below it is the United States Air Force flag. I’m a proud veteran.
[00:00:16] Veteran’s Day provides the opportunity for us to take a step back and recognize and honor those who have served in uniform to support the United States military.
[00:00:25] It’s a time for me to reflect on the family members that have served in many American engagements and many humanitarian relief missions throughout the world.
[00:00:39] The reality of our young men and women who are serving our country either through a lonely patrol through a neighborhood in Ballade or coastal watch duty in the Persian Gulf their reality every day is that they’re protecting our right to celebrate.
[00:00:55] I take the opportunity to show my children the true meaning of America in terms of serving. We go to different parades that support the military branches.
[00:01:06] I’m involved in a Veterans Outreach Program at the university. We want to recognize that we have many folks that are our students or that are family members that are veterans.
[00:01:17] I think one of the best ways that we help veterans is by providing programs that enhance their lives through education without disrupting their lives.
[00:01:26] And I think it’s important that men and women that have served in the military remind our fellow Americans the significance of Veterans Day and truly what it means.
[00:01:37] It’s a time to give thanks to the mothers and fathers and grandparents sisters and brothers who raised their hand and said I volunteer to protect and serve you. I’ve got your back.
