To quote Benjamin Franklin, “there never was a good war or a bad peace.”

Peace is often easy to declare, but hard to achieve. Two years ago, on November 11, 2021, the President ended the longest war in U.S. history, the global war on terror. This declaration, while ending hostilities, did not bring global peace.

We need only to look at today’s headlines to understand American troops are still answering our nation’s call to serve across the world and are in harm’s way. Yet, many Americans believe we are no longer at war. Support for those who served and are serving is waning.

With the military-civilian divide created by an all-volunteer force, it is rare for every family to know or have someone who is serving or has served in the military. It’s become hard to understand military service comes with tremendous personal sacrifice, a subordination of oneself, with a devotion to our fellow American.

Ultimately, it is a willingness above all to ensure our freedom and to promote peace.

This Veterans’ Day, I encourage all veterans to tell your story.

We are the ones who will shape the future of our military. It is a National Security imperative for us to band together to serve our veterans. Our youth and future generations must know that those who sacrificed so much for our nation’s freedom are cared for long after they leave military service.

For us at the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, we understand our current veterans are returning home after extended wars and many deployments with a need for more services than previous generations. Ultimately, it is our vision to cultivate community connections which empower Georgia’s veterans and their families to flourish and thrive across the state. Connections to others and one’s communities creates strong bonds, increases resiliency, and leads to well fulfilled life. However, we cannot do this alone.

I would assert it is a moral imperative for all Americans to support our veterans and their families who make up such a small number of our overall population, but without whom our nation and way of life would be at risk. Not just on Veterans’ Day when we recognize and thank those who have served or are serving in defense of our nation, we should take it a step further.

Take the opportunity to connect with our nation’s heroes, learn their stories, share them with your children, and encourage others to take up the mantle of freedom and serve.

Sincerely,

Patricia Ross
Commissioner of Veterans Service