My Brothers and Sisters:

Today, we remember and recognize our fallen comrades. However, we must also take a few moments to consider ourselves.

This one is for those who fought, sacrificed, and gave their all for a shared idea that is America. This is for survivors, all: those who faired well, others didn’t; those with scars and wounds to share with children and grandchildren; and those with the invisible scars nobody will know.

We did it for our nation and what it stood for: freedom and independence.

We did it because others couldn’t or wouldn’t.

Today, I watch the citizenry around me to see what they’re doing with their freedom and independence that people like us gave them. Do you know what I see when I look?

Terribly misguided people who readily give up those things that we believed in and fought for.

Angry, confused, disorganized mobs of people demanding “equality” but who are incapable of understanding what it means nor how to achieve it.

A government machine driven by figureheads who are more than happy to keep us all in harm’s way both figuratively and literally.

The same government gutting the very documents that we all swore to uphold and defend; the very documents that authorize them the power to direct and command us.

I see that today, for the first time in my years of knowing Veteran’s Day, I feel that our efforts may have been wasted because so many are so willing to give up that which we were so devoted to.

But then I look a bit closer:

I see soldiers and sailors and servicemen who are still unconditionally, unreservedly, absolutely committed to the cause of freedom in America.

I also see the steadfast veterans and retirees who, while they may have been away from active service for years or even decades, who still carry that spark in their hearts.

I see us.

As long as we have breath in our lungs to share our commitment, to fight for what we believe in, there is hope for the future.