A Message from President Caldwell on Veterans Day

A Message from President Caldwell on Veterans Day

Every Veterans Day, I take a moment to think about who we are celebrating. Who are the people we call Veterans? The truth is, there are as many military service stories as there are people who have served. Many enlist because of a tradition of service in their family. Perhaps their mother or father served, and they feel a patriotic duty has been handed down to them. Some enlist because of the opportunities it will provide. Some enlist as a response to world events, while for others, it may feel like the only option they have. And, of course, there are those during the Vietnam period who served because their birthday was drawn and they answered their country's call.

One person may decide to make a career of service and wear the uniform for decades while another may choose to take their skills and experience to civilian jobs.

Some return to civilian life unscathed while others are left with scars- both visible and invisible. Some transition easily into life after service while others have struggle to find their place. Some love to tell stories of their time in the military, while others rarely speak of it.

But these men and women, who experience service in these variety of ways, they don't serve in separate militaries. Every single one of them, regardless of their race, religion, education or background, wears the same American flag on their shoulder. They all share in hoisting the responsibility of defending our nation, our constitution, and our way of life onto their collective shoulders. They all protect the torch of freedom that it may burn as brightly for future generations as it has for us.

But, despite the tremendous diversity in who they are, there is something common at their core which transcends all differences and that core is at the center of every veteran and is a reflection as to who they are.

Duty and a dedication to service are the key components. Every branch of the service works to shape the character of our servicemen and women by instilling in them strong values and a code of ethics that they haven't merely been taught, but instead they lived it and breathed it whether they serve for three years or thirty. They understand how to do the right thing even when nobody was watching, and they've learned the value of serving something greater than themselves.

Courage is also a requirement. Enlisting in the military overthrows the status quo of your life. It's embarking into an undiscovered country of unknown dangers and terrifying possibilities. But no matter what adversity is thrown at them, they've stood face to face with it and continued moving forward.

Finally, our Veterans are men and women who have sacrificed. There is no Veteran in our nation that didn't make sacrifices when they served. You go where you're told to go. You sleep when there's time to sleep. You eat what you're given to eat. Veterans have moved their families all over the world and left behind family and friends as a sacrifice for their duty to our nation.

Some deal with medical issues from their service for the remainder of their lives.

There are those who deployed and even though they come home and are safe, many live knowing others that did not make it home. They process that in many different ways. For some, it leaves them with sadness, depression, or even guilt.

If a seat is left empty for a military hero who made the ultimate sacrifice, the Veteran feels that emptiness as deeply as anyone.

So much is packed into that word, "Veteran." So today, as we all celebrate our Veterans, let us be mindful of all it encompasses and thank them again for their selfless service to our nation.