A VETERANS DAY SPEECH

It’s an honor to stand before you today—not just as a speaker, but as a brother in arms. On this Veterans Day, we gather to remember, to reflect, and to reconnect. We gather not just to honor service, but to honor each other.

I served in Vietnam. Like many of you, I was young—barely out of high school—when I was handed a rifle and a set of orders. We were sent halfway around the world into a conflict that was complex, controversial, and deeply personal. We didn’t always understand the politics, but we understood each other. We understood duty. We understood sacrifice.

And we understood loss.

We lost friends. We lost innocence. Some of us came home with wounds that never healed—some visible, some buried deep. And when we returned, the welcome wasn’t what we expected. There were no parades. No handshakes. No thank-you. For many of us, silence was the only reception.

But we endured. We rebuilt our lives. We found strength in each other. And over time, the nation began to understand what we had given—not just in Vietnam, but in every war, every conflict, every mission where American service members stood tall.

Veterans Day is not just about remembering the past. It’s about honoring the present. It’s about recognizing that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It continues—in our communities, in our families, in our support for one another.

Today, I want to speak to three things: remembrance, resilience, and responsibility.

Remembrance

We remember those who never came home. Their names are etched in stone, but their stories live in us. We remember the ones who gave everything—their youth, their futures, their lives. We carry their memory not just today, but every day.

We also remember the quiet heroes. The medics who saved lives under fire. The mechanics who kept the birds flying. The cooks, the clerks, the radio operators—every role mattered. Every job was essential. Every person served with honor.

Resilience

We are a resilient group. We’ve faced war, loss, and hardship. We’ve battled PTSD, physical injuries, and the challenge of reintegration. And yet, here we are—still standing. Still serving. Still supporting one another.

Resilience is not just surviving. It’s thriving. It’s finding purpose after pain. It’s mentoring younger veterans. It’s showing the world that we are more than our scars—we are warriors, leaders, and builders of peace.

Responsibility

We have a responsibility—to each other, and to the next generation. We must ensure that no veteran feels alone. That no one slips through the cracks. That every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman knows they are valued.

We must advocate for better care, better support, and better understanding. We must tell our stories—not for sympathy, but for truth. Because when we speak, we educate. We heal. We inspire.

So today, as we stand together, I ask you to do three things:

      1.  Reach out to a fellow veteran. A phone call, a visit, a simple “how are you?” can change a life.
     2. Share your story. Your experience matters. Your voice matters. Let the world know what service

          really means.
     3. Live with purpose. Whether you volunteer, mentor, or simply lead by example—your continued

          service is a gift to this country.

There comes a time after you are discharged when you realize that you are never really going to be able to transition from military to civilian life. You are a “Veteran" now …… And you will always be one.

In closing, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your continued strength.

We are veterans. We are family. And we are never alone.

God bless you all, and God bless the United States of America.