Today, on Veterans Day, I find myself reflecting on the profound connection I have with this day and the deep meaning it holds for me. I come from a family of service. My father was a veteran, and the legacy of service runs through our blood. My two brothers-in-law are veterans, as are three of my nephews. Many of my close friends and colleagues have served as well. We share a bond, forged through a shared willingness to serve our country, no matter the duration or the challenges we faced.
I didn’t serve as long as many have, but I served longer than some. I never fought in any wars, yet my years in service left me with stories—some vivid, others quietly etched in memory. Though my service days were long ago, they remain with me, clear and unyielding, as if only yesterday. These memories differ in intensity for each of us who served. For some, they are indelible, impossible to shake. For others, they become softer over time, yet never fully disappear.
Despite these differences, one truth binds us all. At one point in our lives, each of us willingly wrote a blank check to our country, promising to defend it with our lives if necessary. Many among us paid that ultimate price.
So today, and every day, I salute my fellow veterans. I honor the sacrifices made and the courage shared, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every person who has served. We may walk different paths now, but the legacy of our service connects us forever.