[November 11, 2019] Today is the 101st anniversary of the end of World War I, also known as the Great War. Since that time, military veterans are thanked for their service to the nation and help keep us free from tyranny. Veterans also owe the American people a great sense of gratitude for their opportunity to be part of the greatest institution any free society can build.
Our humbleness is no accident, for each veteran knows in their heart that we are living our dream in the high calling of protecting our country. Only 1 in 4 Americans are currently eligible to join the U.S. military, and that is true for a variety of reasons. Today, less than one percent of the population is part of the military, a small number given such a crucial mission we have.
I will strongly argue that our veterans have a deep-seated moral obligation to acknowledge that we must live up to the perceptions of our society at large. The reason for the obligation is simple. Veterans are afforded a great gift; while much is expected of us, much is rightly required of us in return.
U.S. President Dwight d. Eisenhower said it best many years ago when he issued the First Proclamation on Veterans Day. He wrote that all citizens should remember the sacrifices of those who fought for us that we should recognize the sacred duty of those presently serving to guard this peaceful nation. To do so also means to be respectful and unpretentious in our daily act of wearing the uniform.
“I do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States, a quote from his proclamation issued Vol. 19, No. 198 of the Federal Register (link here)
The veteran does owe the American people. I believe that our veterans recognize this fact, and that is why we see them throughout our communities, traveling across the nation, and in the news shaking our hands with a smile and a knowing look on their faces. Veterans are privileged to be part of something greater than themselves and part of a nation that honors them.
There are folks who, for some reason, are able to give us new perspectives on life and Gen. Satterfield has done that here in this article. It took me a little by surprise when I read the title but understood when he gave his reasoning. Veterans due owe our nation. They do give more than most of us but also receive much in return. Thanks General Satterfield for your service and for all who served.
Thank you Mr. Kennedy for your insight to how Gen. Satterfield works. I would also love to see more articles by you.
Happy Veteran’s Day. Good day to all who are vets and those who support them.
Remembrance Day (sometimes known informally as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of the remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Following a tradition inaugurated by King George V in 1919,[1] the day is also marked by war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November in most countries to recall the end of hostilities of First World War on that date in 1918. From Wikipedia
Thank you Dennis and the reminder that not all nations have Nov 11th as their Veterans Day. Some nations don’t even recognize their military.
Well said. Let’s not forget the allied veterans around the world who were also part of keeping people free from tyranny and dictatorships.
Here is a nice video from Hillsdale College thanking our vets.
https://lp.hillsdale.edu/veterans-day-2019/?utm_source=housefile&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=vetday2019&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–q2lm1mnbAO7jtZxJ-tuBiFiREukpimmH1VZqr_rQKobMPqyfe896NX4i26FrcI-H6qtODkbngMPgjSeEjLr5I7kEXAg&_hsmi=79173150
Every act of service, from those who serve stateside in peace, to those who have perished abroad in war, contributes to the freedoms we so often take for granted. The dedication and faithfulness that our servicemen and women give to their tasks inspires us.
Yes and thanks Ronny. Here is the Gary Sinise foundation that contributes to our vets. Never forget!
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/mission/
We should all read Ernest Hemingway’s 1929 novel “A Farewell to Arms”
Here is a good summary worth taking a few minutes to read over:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/A-Farewell-to-Arms-novel
It’s an unvarnished look at war. Read it in college. Liked it but it is a dark side that you cannot shake. Veterans of war understand what I mean. Difficult, it must be to “get” this when you’ve not been in a war.
Please accept my deepest respect for you military and veterans.
And thank you Mr. Kim.
Originally called Armistice Day, this bittersweet holiday commemorated the end of World War I and all soldiers who died in that horrible conflict. A Congressional Act in May 1938 officially marked Nov. 11 as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace.” World peace tho has not been achieved. Certainly that is not the fault of the wonderful men and women who serve!
Howard Bryant NFL’s annual Veterans Day celebrations reveal a staggering level of hypocrisy. Good article to read and a great reason to stop watching professional football.
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/nfl-s-annual-veterans-day-celebrations-reveal-staggering-level-hypocrisy-ncna1078991
I stopped watching two years ago when that crazy, anti-American Kapernack came out and starting disrespecting our military. I also don’t buy Nike shoes either. We’ve organized a local boycott of them and several stores pulled their brand.
Good for you and your neighbors, Janna. We need more to act like you have.
“Veterans Also Owe the American People” Veterans owe the American people in a way that is not expected when I read the title of today’s post by Gen Satterfield. Vets simply owe a bit of gratitude (humbly) for having the chance to serve. It is an honor to serve. I was in the US Army and am happy I served and that I’m a vet but I never took it for granted. Thanks all and Happy Veterans Day!
Good point, Drew and happy Vets Day to you too.
Thank you also, Drew for serving and serving honorably. Let us all not forget that we are writing about the vast majority of those who did serve. I’m particularly honored by knowing several veterans who served in wartime too.
Good job on today’s post, Gen. Satterfield. It gives me a newer perspective. I know that you are not trying to detract from the respect we give vets but it does show that vets also owe us (we are of course happy to support them).
Hello everyone! I’m new to this leadership blog that General Satterfield runs. It’s good to be on a site that has short, educational articles on leadership. I’ve been reading the comments and they are also helpful to expand on his ideas.
Welcome to Gen. Satterfield’s leader site where the best among us are those who make the best comments. I’m welcoming you because it’s important to know that we support Veterans and our military. The pantywaisted nut-jobs in Washington DC and the news media don’t deserve our support.
Yes, Valkerie, welcome aboard my leadership blog.
Like so many Americans, I am honored to have so many of my family that are veterans. One still serving in the US Air Force. I like the fact that so many have given their lives to protect our country and help ensure freedom remains in the world. The little, no-nothing snowflakes in college are dumber than dirt, in my opinion. They should try walking in the boots of our troops for just one day.
Thank you Karl and for your family. This is what makes ‘America Great.’
I too have relatives in my family who serve. I’m more proud of them than I can say here in a few short words.
Nearly all the men in my family were in the military at some point in their lives. I used to sit on my granddad’s lap and hear the stories of his friendship with the men who served with him. He is past on now but his memories continue in me.
“Thanks to the failure of the press, and to the stupidity of Hollywood,” wrote Sgt. Denis Nunan, camped in a small town in Italy, to his mother on March 23, 1945, “the Home Front has no real conception of war, and only by letters home can the truth be made known.” – quote from the NYT article you have in your Daily Favorites, Gen Satterfield. Thanks!
We still see such a great distortion of war and soldiers by Hollywood and the “news media” that it makes me sick. Strange that the “professionals” in those places, the ones who we’ve grown to mistrust are the only ones delivering what is happening overseas with our troops. General Satterfield, well done in capturing some of this in your article.
Darwin, I do believe you reflect the sentiment of many of us; veterans or supporters of veterans. ?
Spot-on comments, guys.
Thanks Georgie!
Great article on a very special day for Americans.
Yes, Dale and General Satterfield has made a website that we should encourage others to read. Today’s article gives a twist on Veterans Day that none of us would have thought about. Why else would we think that Veterans also owe Americans. They owe the fact that we are the ones who support them, send them items in the mail, and pat them on the back.
This is why I’ve decided this leadership blog is my ‘go to’ site for info on leadership and on making me think. That last one is hard but it works.
I’m sure, Albert that Gen. Satterfield thanks us for our support too. His nearly 40 years in the US army tells us a lot about his success and his priorities.