The line of patriots is long. It stretches through the centuries, across oceans and battlefields, and into the hearts of generations of Americans who answered the call to serve.
They came from all walks of life. Rich and poor. Black and white. From small towns and big cities. Different backgrounds, different beliefs, different stories.
But they had one thing in common.
They raised their hand and swore an oath to defend this nation. They understood, in their own way, the importance of the fight for freedom.
Some went to foreign shores and distant battlefields. Some came home carrying wounds that never healed. Some never came home at all. They stood shoulder to shoulder. Brothers and sisters in arms. Bound by something bigger than themselves.
The line is long, and it still grows.
Today, we remember those who served before us. We honor those who serve now. And we give thanks for those who will answer the call in the years to come.
Because the spirit of service doesn’t belong to one generation. It belongs to all of us.
In every generation, there are men and women who understand freedom and the cost. That the blessings we enjoy come with a responsibility to protect them.
Patriots stand up. They raise their hands. They join ranks.
And the line gets a little longer.
On Veterans Day, remember those who stood in the line. Honor those standing in it today. Encourage our brothers and sisters who rise and stand going forward.
