Veterans Day: Be Sure to Say Thank You to These Great Americans

Have you said Thank You to a great American? Are you wondering how you do that? Where would you have the opportunity to say Thank You to a great American? Most think that it is almost impossible to speak with a great American because of their high public profile and are removed from access for the average American citizen. They are your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends, your family … and they are just seconds away! Those great Americans that are a part of your everyday life are veterans. When was the last time you said Thank You to a veteran on Veterans Day?

Serving and Sacrifice on Veterans Day

Let’s try and put in perspective why we owe veterans a Thank You for their service and sacrifice to this great nation on Veterans Day. Imagine for a moment, you are a teenager from small-town USA, just finishing high school. For whatever reason, you feel your opportunities in your small town are limiting. Throughout your life, your relatives have instilled the honor and obligation of military service. Your family has a history of relatives who have served and sacrificed. You leave the comfort of that small town, and arrive in a place totally foreign to you. You have volunteered and enlisted for service in the US military. In places far from your home, away from the comfort of your family, you perfect the profession of military service for your country. You are then asked to serve our nation, in locations around the globe, representing the United States in ways that serve to protect and defend our democracy and the well-being of others around the globe. Can you imagine what that feels like?

Honoring Those Who Serve and Have Served

Only a small percentage of our men and women follow that path. These service members agree to a service commitment that may be for a short term, or they choose to serve for a career. Whatever they choose, they willingly set aside goals, aspirations and family obligations to service this great nation. They make sacrifices that are sometimes exciting and sometimes terrifying. Some return to civilian life to contribute, and others suffer the ultimate sacrifice. On Veterans Day this Friday, you owe a great debt of thanks to these men and women. You owe them a debt of gratitude and respect. They chose this path when the majority of their fellow citizens opted out. They ask nothing from us in return. We owe them a great debt. Find a veteran near you and say Thank You! They don’t seek these accolades, and each will remain humble and kind, but we owe them dearly. Just simply say Thank You on Veterans Day.