Each year, Veterans Day is a day we strive to ensure our service members understand how deeply we appreciate the sacrifices they have made to keep our country free. Honoring veterans on Nov. 11 not only preserves the historical significance of an event dating back to World War I, but also places a well-deserved spotlight on a small - one percent - population of patriots whose love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice preserves the freedom and rights we all enjoy.
Among these gallant warriors are the more than 200,000 Army Reserve Soldiers who have answered the call to duty. For more than a century, Army Reserve Soldiers have fought and served both at home and abroad, defending freedom as well as providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. As I travel around the force, I am at once humbled and proud of the professionalism, service and sacrifices each of you willingly make on a daily basis.
Today’s Army Reserve is now an enduring and indispensible part of the operational force. Our Soldiers stand alongside all Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen – brave men and women who preserve our country’s freedom and are a true national treasure. Without question, we are eternally indebted to the generations of service members who have - and continue to - put their lives on the line for current and future generations. Those serving today are “the greatest generation” for our time, and stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before.
As such, we must do all we can to take care of a new generation of veterans, our Soldiers and their Family members who sacrifice so much for our Nation. My staff and I will bring renewed focus on our efforts to improve the medical readiness, resilience and health of our force; to provide robust support services and programs for our Soldiers and Family members; and work with our employer partners to provide jobs, training and career development for all Soldiers, Family members and veterans. Our goal is to develop a Continuum of Service that embraces a “Soldier for Life” and provides for alternative career paths, combining periods of Active, Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve duty to accommodate life changes / challenges, achieve personal ambitions, and maintain a commitment of service to the Nation throughout a lifetime. The concept of “Soldier for Life” includes seeing to the needs of our Veterans as they transition back to their home communities.
Though Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their dedicated and loyal service to their country, this Friday, 11-11-11 at exactly 11 a.m., a color guard, made up of members from each military branch, will render honors to America's war dead during a heart-moving ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. Please join my wife Laura and me as we take this moment to pause and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of not only our deceased warriors, but the Veterans, Soldiers and Families near and far, whose quiet sacrifices have kept our nation free and safe from harm.
I believe we should all seek ways to express our collective appreciation for service and sacrifice. As such, I invite all Army Reserve personnel, whether military or civilian, to join me in observing Veterans Day - through appropriate ceremonies, community activities and personal remembrances. I would also ask that you share your thoughts, your thanks and your reflections on our Army Reserve Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/USArmyReserve.
