Remembering, Thanking, and Honoring
Today we gather here to celebrateVeteran’s Day; a holiday most often pushed to the side, but yet, every day service men and women risk their lives so we may live ours. On this day, November 11th, we remember the end of the First World War and the tragedy it brought to this country, but we also remember the triumph that came from it because, if we don’t find the good in the bad, the bad becomes unbearable. Veterans day makes us all stop and appreciate our brave Veterans. America is the home of the brave and the land of the free.
but we could not be free without the brave. Veterans Day is for the brave, but celebrated by the free. You hold the highest honor. The rest of us can’t begin to imagine how your world looks after what you’ve gone through, but we don’t want to imagine a world without you. Only a real hero can do what you did.
I hope I can be like all of you someday: brave, strong, and passionate. American writer,J. Campbell once said, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Soldiers fight for a better life for complete strangers everyday, and if that’s not heroic, then I don’t know what is. Veterans day is apublic holiday held on the anniversary of the end of The First World War, November eleventh. It takes place on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month.
Fighting was ceased when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on November 11, 1918, at 11 am, giving the world peace. Veteran’s day is to honor US veterans and victims of all wars. It replaced Armistice Day in 1954. But that’s not what Veteran’s Day really is. Veteran’s day is a day to remember. To be grateful for all soldiers who have fought.
We continue to celebrate its importance as we honor our veterans with admiration. It shouldn’t just be a public holiday but rather one day out of 365 that we take time to honor the sacrifice of our country’s heroes. Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans–living or dead–but especially, on this day, we gives thanks to living veterans who served this country with great honor. We thank you for your loyal service to our country. Today, it’s estimated that there are 21 million veterans in the United States.
That is 21 million people that put their lives on the line. 21 million people who fought for us. 21 million people who lived to receive the admiration they deserve. If someone has served in the military they earn the title of veteran. But that comes with more.
It comes with more than a uniform and a name. They earn our deep respect and admiration. They become something special, that no one can, or should ignore. Our veterans are extraordinary people; they’re loyal, dedicated, true and brave. Our veterans should be our celebrities, for they are exceptional.
We are thankful for all they’ve done and they are always in our hearts. They did something so concrete for us. For all of us strangers, All of us strangers connected by one thing, our country. America. They fight for hope and opportunity.
They fight for equality and democracy. Fellow Americans preserved our liberties; let’s never forget their sacrifice, their hard and heavy work. To them, losing their life is potential to save many; and it’s worth it.They are the noble and the brave. We salute every Veteran.
So today, we hang our flag at half mast in honor of you. We hold a moment of silence at 11 a.m. to honor you. With high respect, we remember our fallen heroes and our living veterans. But keep in mind one thing; this isn’t a memorial.
A memorial is standing still, staring at something that isn’t there. You are here. I am here. Together, we are here.We are remembering, thanking, and honoring something that is here, our nation’s heroes.
They are here, they are present and without them we wouldn’t be. This is a holiday, a special, sacred day for many. We celebrate the dedication, sacrifice, unity and valor of our Veterans. So to every service man or woman that has fought for my freedom, my education, my right to give this speech, for my very privileged life. Thank you so much.
