Thank you

Today, we celebrate our veterans.

It was President Woodrow Wilson who first proclaimed it Armistice Day:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.” (November 11, 1919)

In 1945, it became a day to honor all veterans, whether living or dead, serving stateside or abroad, in times of war or of peace.

As for us, this year will be a bit more solemn. This year we’ll be preparing to say goodbye to two of our own.

The threat, you see, is never far removed.

And yet, they serve.

So to the men and women of the United States Army, Marine Corp, Nay, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve, we salute you. And we offer our deepest thanks . . .