Honoring the Brave: A Salute to Our Vets This Veterans Day

As we approach Veterans Day, I hope we all took the time to pause, reflect, and honor the extraordinary men and women who have donned the uniform of our armed forces. Each year, on November 11th, we come together as a nation to acknowledge the sacrifices and valor of our veterans—the guardians of liberty and architects of peace.

Today, we stand united in gratitude for the freedoms we cherish—a gift fortified by our service members’ relentless courage and unwavering commitment. It’s a day to celebrate the heroes among us, those who served in silent fortitude and those who echo through history with tales of heroism.

To our veterans—thank you. Thank you for answering the call to defend our nation. Thank you for your service, which often demanded great personal sacrifices. Your dedication to duty has secured our way of life and upheld the principles upon which this nation was founded.

But remember, honoring our veterans isn’t just about the tributes we pay on this day; it’s also about how we uphold their legacy in our daily lives. It’s about the support we extend to veteran communities, the stories of their valor we pass on to future generations, and the enduring commitment to the country they love and served so faithfully.

In the spirit of Veterans Day, let us also renew our dedication to self-defense and personal security—a cause many veterans hold dear. As a veteran, a martial arts instructor, and a purveyor of security products, I’m reminded of the parallels between the protective instincts that drive our armed forces and the self-defense ethos we advocate.

Let us wield the tools of protection, like pepper spray and stun guns, with the same respect for safety and security that our veterans embody. And let us walk confidently, knowing that the freedom to live securely is a privilege safeguarded by their sacrifices.

On this Veterans Day, we not only look back with respect for what has been endured but also forward, with hope, inspired by the indomitable spirit of our veterans. They’ve shown us that bravery isn’t the absence of fear but the will to overcome it—both on the battlefield and in our everyday lives.

So, to all who have served—across seas and through decades—we salute you. Your legacy is not merely etched in history; it lives on in the tranquil moments of peace we enjoy and in the heart of every American whose life is better because you served.

We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude that endures long after the parades and ceremonies fade. Let’s honor them today and every day.

Happy Veterans Day. 

See Also:

• Since 1776, America’s Favorite Pastime: Self-Defense and Fighting Back
• Centurions and Stun Guns: Timeless Lessons in Safety and Self-Defense from the Roman Empire
• 300 Reasons to Learn to Defend Yourself

Mini History Lesson

Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day are all United States federal holidays that honor and remember the individuals who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, but each has a distinct focus and history:

Armed Forces Day

• When: Celebrated on the third Saturday in May.
• Purpose: This day honors those currently serving in the U.S. military. It celebrates the service of all military personnel, regardless of the branch, and acknowledges the contributions of the current members of the military.
• History: Created in 1949 to replace separate Army, Navy, and Air Force Days. It stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.

Memorial Day

• When: Observed on the last Monday of May.
• Purpose: Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces. The holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, started after the Civil War to honor Union and Confederate dead.
• History: It began in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades.

Veterans Day

• When: Celebrated on November 11th each year.
• Purpose: Veterans Day is dedicated to honoring all veterans—those who have served their country during war or peacetime. This day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime.
• History: Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I. However, after World War II and the Korean War, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to honor all veterans who have served the U.S. in war or peace.

In essence, Armed Forces Day recognizes current service members, Memorial Day honors those who have lost their lives in service to their country, and Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.