A Salute to Veterans
Here’s
something most people don’t realize: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs still provides annual pensions to children and spouses of veterans from the Spanish–American War, and even the Civil War, more than a century after those conflicts ended. Yes, there are still family members of those early 20th-century veterans receiving support today.
That single fact says so much. It reminds us that military service creates ripples that extend far beyond the individual who served. The commitment made by one person can touch families, communities, and even generations yet to come.
The veteran population itself has also changed dramatically.
According to the Pew Research Center, there are more than 18 million living U.S. veterans today, roughly six percent of American adults. Many served in more recent eras, and their experiences, both during their service and as they transition back to civilian life, differ greatly from those who came before them.
One truth,
however, remains constant: service matters now, and it matters long after the uniform is folded and put away. Every veteran, whether active-duty, reserve, or retired, and every family member who has supported them, carries a powerful legacy.
Honoring veterans means more than simply saying thank you on one day of the year.
It means recognizing the long continuum of care, transition, and remembrance that continues for decades after the battle ends.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all who are currently serving...for your courage, your daily dedication, and your willingness to step forward when others step
back.
To those still facing the aftereffects of service, physical or otherwise, please know your strength continues to inspire deep respect and gratitude.
And to every veteran who has passed on, a prayerful thank you for your sacrifice, your service, and your enduring legacy.
Because of each of you, our communities are safer, our freedoms stronger, and our hopes
brighter.
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