Recently, we celebrated America’s 71st Veterans Day — a day with a history that stretches far beyond seven decades. Originally called ‘Armistice Day’, November 11th marked the end of active combat during World War I. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had served as Supreme Allied Commander during World War II, rededicated the day to honor all veterans, particularly those who served in World War II and the Korean War.
Fast forward seven decades, and Veterans Day is still celebrated with parades, school programs, and ceremonies at city halls across the country. It’s a day to say thank you — and speaking as a veteran, on behalf of veterans, thank you to everyone who takes a moment to recognize the service members in their lives.
But here’s the thing: the most meaningful way to thank a veteran isn’t just with a parade, a cup of coffee, or even a day off. It’s by making sure they actually get the benefits they earned when they enlisted. That includes ensuring we have a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that works. Right now, the VA is stretched thin — losing staff and resources just when veterans need them most. Thousands of employees have left or been lost through attrition, and many services are slowing down. Saying “thank you” feels a little empty if the promises made to those who served aren’t being kept.
President Eisenhower understood that. He didn’t just dedicate a day to veterans — he reformed the Veterans Benefits Administration to make sure veterans actually received what they were owed. That’s the kind of gratitude that counts: practical, meaningful, and more than just words in a speech.
Veterans Day is for saying thanks. Memorial Day is for remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Both are important, and both deserve our full attention. So on Veterans Day, do more than thank veterans with words — show them our gratitude through actions that truly deliver.