Thank You for Your Service — But Listen Closer
November 11. Eleven Eleven. For those of us reflecting today, it’s a special date — and maybe not what you think. 11 November is also National Heavy Metal Day, the day we celebrate the famous line from the 1984 movie Spinal Tap, when guitarist Nigel Tufnel proudly declares, “This one goes to 11”? How about World Origami Day, since 11/11 symbolizes the four equal sides of a square which is a fundamental shape in origami? I like that one. Or maybe my personal favorite, National Sundae Day. I can definitely get behind this one.
But jokes aside, there are two other meaningful celebrations on 11 November: Angola’s Independence Day (since 1975) and Poland’s Independence Day (since 1918). This brings us to why we are here, because around the world, bells ring at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In London, Paris, Warsaw, and many other cities 11 November is known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, or Independence Day. Regardless of where, it’s about one thing: peace bought through sacrifice. Here in America, we call it Veterans Day.
From Armistice to Honor
Known as Armistice Day until 1954, it was President Eisenhower who proclaimed November 11 as Veterans Day, honoring all who served. Today, about 18 million veterans live in America or roughly 5 percent of our population. Since 1974, every one of them volunteered. Service has been a choice.
But there’s one group that didn’t always have that choice — our spouses, partners, and families. Thank you. Your sacrifice made our service possible.
My own family deserves a double portion of thanks. They didn’t volunteer… and they had to do it with me. Not an easy task. My kids’ therapists like to remind them that the multiple high schools and no prom dates (after all, who’s going to ask the general’s daughter?) made them “resilient and adaptable.”
And my wife of 38 years, she’s mastered the art of independence that only a military spouse truly understands. A few months ago, I came home and she said, “I don’t know your schedule, but I’m going to Hawaii for my birthday. You can come if you want to.” I said, “Yes, I’d like that. Would you mind telling me your flight numbers?” She agreed. That’s power. She raised three kids, moved 21 times, and sent me on five one-year deployments over 31 years. Now, we are off to Hawaii for her birthday.
“Thank You for Your Service” — What Are They Really Saying?
We’ve all heard it — in airports, stores, restaurants, social gatherings. Someone learns you’re a veteran and instinctively says, “Thank you for your service.” How do you respond? Do you shrug it off, mumble “thanks,” or accept it as it’s meant to be, with gratitude and respect?
Veterans Day reminds us that the nation does want to thank you. They provide benefits like the GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, maybe even a free meal at your favorite spot. Those are nice perks for the long deployments, the cold rainy nights, and the moments of fear you faced head-on.
But listen closer. “Thank you for your service.” Do you hear the plea? What they’re really saying is: "We still need you. Our nation is divided, angry, uncertain." “Thank you for your service" is a question: Will you still serve? Will you show us again that people from every state, every faith, every background, and every political view can come together for a common mission?
Your New Battlefield: The Three Feet Around You
In your service, people see not only who we are but who we can be. I know you didn’t sign up to be the example forever, but it’s on your back now. It’s yours to carry. So what will you do with it?
Will you be that example in the classroom, at work, or on the softball field? Will you tell your story of becoming brothers and sisters with people who didn’t look, pray, or vote like you? When the rounds were flying, did any of that matter? Of course not.
As a commander of Air Forces in Afghanistan, I flew close-air-support missions for troops in contact. When my F-15E formation arrived over a firefight, did I know the politics of the ground commander or the JTAC? Did I care? Did they care about mine? Of course not. We got past our differences pretty quickly when things were hitting the fan. Now is the time to make another decision. Will you keep serving all of us?
Find New Ways to Serve
- Volunteer at a shelter and tell a struggling veteran, “You’re not alone. It’s time to fight for something better.”
- Serve on a county board and remind others that 17 veterans die by suicide every day.
- Mentor, coach, or teach across divides while showing people that we learned to move beyond stereotypes.
The Choice to Serve — Again
The expectations are high. You can’t fix everything. But you can do something. You can be a positive influence in the three feet around you. Today. It’s a choice. You’ve volunteered for hard things before. You can do this too.
You’ll falter, backslide, forget. But when you see the flag, or another vet, remember what it felt like to make a difference and do it again. That’s your new battlefield. The three feet around you.
Step up ... and ... "Thank you for your service."
G.K. Chesterton said
“A true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him but because he loves what is behind him.”
