Happy Veteran’s Day! First and foremost, I’d like to remind all politicians that today is a national holiday dedicated to honoring the veterans of our country. Every year, it seems that some politician, somewhere, makes a reference to all the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our nation. Unfortunately, these politicians are usually not veterans themselves, which makes it challenging for them to truly understand the sacrifices made by those who served. Let’s remember that living and deceased veterans, those not killed in the line of duty, are honored on Veterans’ Day, and those who served and paid the ultimate price for our freedom are honored and remembered on Memorial Day
Take a moment today to express gratitude to a veteran. They’re not hard to find; simply look around. As of November 2023, the United States has over 18 million living veterans, which is approximately 6% of its adult population. You might see a homeless man with a cardboard sign around his neck; he could be a veteran. In January 2023, 35,574 veterans experienced homelessness in the U.S., a 7.4% increase from the previous year. Of these, 20,076 were sheltered, while 15,507 were unsheltered. Or consider the person struggling to board a bus; they might be a disabled veteran. The number of disabled American Veterans is staggering. As of August 2023, there were 5.27 million veterans in the U.S. with a service-connected disability. Imagine someone applying for a job; they could very well be a veteran. Over 241,000 veterans are unemployed. Will you hire them? Hiring a veteran is not just a catchphrase; it makes good business sense. Then there are the fortunate ones who served, returned home, found jobs, and live peacefully among us. They blend in seamlessly. The only difference between them and the rest is that they stepped up. I reiterate my earlier request: take a moment to thank a veteran today.
Since today is a federal holiday, many Americans are enjoying the day off. It’s also my son’s birthday. He was born on Veteran’s Day and was born during the bicentennial year of 1976. Happy Birthday, Anthony. Ironically, while millions of non-veterans are celebrating this day off, my son, a veteran, and his wife, also a veteran are scheduled to work. This irony is prevalent throughout mainstream America. If you’re enjoying a day off, be sure to express gratitude to a veteran.
I understand that some may perceive this article as self-serving since I am also a veteran. However, this is not about me; it is about all the other veterans. I am proud of my status as a Veteran, but I am even prouder that I can sit here and write this article without fear of intimidation or reprisal. I am not constantly in fear of missiles flying overhead or suicide bombers. This is because of the Veterans who have done their part, stepped up, and have kept this country safe. Therefore, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of thanking a Veteran, not only today but every day.
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