It is our great privilege to pay tribute Nov. 11 to the millions of veterans who have served our nation in times of war and peace. Dating back to 1919 when November 11 was commemorated as Armistice Day, to 1954 when the observance was given a broader scope and renamed Veteran's Day, this day is set aside to celebrate, remember and thank our nation's service members. As in decades past, our national tradition of honoring the men and women of the armed forces gives us the opportunity to reflect on the significance of this day, now, more important than ever. The recent attack on the USS Cole that claimed the lives of several Navy personnel serves to demonstrate that service members are prepared to risk their lives every day to defend others around the world. The sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform are sometimes beyond our comprehension, but never our awareness and appreciation.
Veterans deserve, and have earned, our gratitude and deepest respect.
Our soldiers serve to uphold the virtues America represents - liberty, justice and respect for human dignity. Their deep pride, loyalty and commitment enables us to take freedom for granted, a luxury some nations only dream of. We are grateful to these veterans, who laid the foundation for today's Army, an army known the world over for its strength and heroism. Trying to imagine our country without a military might be likened to imagining our own family history without at least one story told by a veteran in the family, or friend of the family. This focus should be uppermost in our mind as we go about our daily business of providing the best equipment and services to this vital customer who is always there for us.