My late grandfather served active duty in the United States Navy during World War II. My cousin is actively serving in the Marine Corps. And, some of my friends and classmates from high school have enlisted in their own branches of the armed forces. Such is the case for many other families across America. And so, with today being Veteran’s Day, and especially since this past Tuesday was Election Day, I feel that it’s important to take a moment to express our gratitude for our soldiers, both active and veteran, for everything they have done for our country.

Every year, so many young men and women willingly and eagerly enlist in the Army, the Marine Corps, the Navy, etc. They have decided to put the lives of their fellow citizens and the good of the nation above their own lives, and they have sworn to protect us, which in my opinion is the ultimate act of selflessness. To put everyone else’s lives before your own shows strength, honor, and courage, something that we all have inside of us yet don’t always show. Unfortunately, however, every year, so many brothers and sisters of combat leave for their deployment but don’t ever make it home. Some are taken as POWs, others lay down their lives in battle, and there are even some who do physically make it back alive but they have been so changed by combat that they don’t come back as the same person they used to be.

It’s extremely important to recognize and honor these brave men and women. They have fought endlessly to protect the rights that we earned so many years ago. They have fought to protect us from the threat of others, threats from both inside the country and outside of it. Back when I was in high school, my principal, Mrs. Laz, held an annual assembly in honor of Veteran’s Day. And every year, she would invite local veterans from our school district to this assembly. She gave them a chance to introduce themselves and state what they did in their time of service. Every single vet in that audience, both young and old, proudly stood and shared their stories, and when they sat down, they sat to a thunderous applause from every member of the Lewis S. Mills student body.

My grandfather was stationed in Chincoteague, VA at a naval base. While he was on active duty, he was working on the fighter planes, making sure they were safe for combat and travel. I’m grateful every day that he never saw the brutality of battle, because he was alive and raised a wonderful family. He lived a long and happy life, passing away in his nineties due to cancer. And, in my home, we have the folded flag in his honor.

There are so many veterans today who face the terrors of war; some having given the ultimate sacrifice, and some that stayed on the homeland and worked behind the scenes, yet return to the United States and face homelessness, lack of employment, and all sorts of hardships that they shouldn’t have to face. We should do more to provide for them, much like they have provided for us. They may have been extremely selfless and have fought for our safety without demanding a thank you, but they deserve more. Some are lucky, like my grandfather, and get to live out happy and well-lived lives after their service. They don’t have to face poverty and homelessness; they don’t have to fight every day for food. But sadly, that’s not the same story for other veterans. The VA can only do so much, and sadly, sometimes it just isn’t enough to provide benefits for all of the veterans in their service.

So today, while you go about your daily lives, take a moment to express thanks to all those who have fought for your rights and who have fought for your safety. Take a moment to remember all of those lost and to pray for those who struggle every day, whether they be the family and friends of a soldier, or the soldiers themselves. Ask yourself, "What can I do to help them?" because while they don’t ask for much – if anything – in return for their service, they deserve more than just a “thank you for your service.” But most importantly, do remember to thank them. So many people have laid down their lives for your ability to vote, to bear arms, to speak freely, and even if we can’t help them gain stability, the least we can do is thank them for everything they’ve done.

Thank you to everyone who has bravely fought for the rights we hold so closely. Thank you for choosing such an honorable path of life and service. May you survive your battles and live a long and happy life after your services are completed. God bless you all.