KANSAS CITY, Mo. – To the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Monday, November 11 means, and always will mean, more to the more than 1.6 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary.
Veterans Day is a day of deep significance and it provides every American with the unique opportunity to not only keep alive the memories and accomplishments of every man and woman who has answered when their nation called, but to truly appreciate and understand the service and sacrifices our veterans and their families have made, and continue to make every day.
Originally established in 1919 to honor our nation’s fallen World War I veterans, today Veterans Day now means honoring all who have bravely fought to preserve the freedoms and way of life we frequently take for granted.
Our nation is like no other in history, founded not on tribalism or classism, but on the rare and unique opportunity to disagree, and to worship, express oneself and live without fear of reprisal of unjust incarceration or execution. However, this freedom and liberty birthright must be defended and protected, and as a grateful nation it is up to us.
We must continue to repay our keepers of peace and protectors of our freedoms – our veterans – with the recognition, respect and care they’ve rightly earned and deserve, for it is our veterans who have sacrificed and paid the highest price of us all.