Veterans Day: Honoring Our Heroes

As America commemorates Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, our nation must pause to honor the heroes who have rendered military service.

America must be eternally grateful for the sacrifices, dedication, and patriotism of our veterans.

Today, as in generations past, courageous military personnel are living heroically. They are carrying the torch of freedom, democracy, and liberty for America and securing peace throughout the world.

Let us honor them with our appreciation, respect, and prayers.

Air Force
The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to fly, fight, and win … in air, space, and cyberspace.

Achieving this mission demands that the Air Force has a vision of global vigilance, with these core values as the foundation:
•Integrity first
•Service before self
•Excellence in all that we do

One of the many inspirational U.S. military stories is of the Tuskegee Airmen.
More than 50 years after they helped defeat Hitler and the Nazis in World War II, a group of these African-American heroes were justly awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 2007, at a White House ceremony.

They fought two wars, one against an evil totalitarian force oversees and another against unjust racism on American soil. At a time when African-Americans could not eat, be educated, ride in the front of the bus, or use public restrooms with whites, these patriots bravely served America.

Army
As detailed on its website the mission of the U.S. Army is to fight and win the wars of America by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across a full range of military operations.

Currently, there are more than 675,000 soldiers in today’s Army, which includes 488,000 active duty and 189,000 in the reserve.

The Army is engaged in worldwide operations including humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping, and direct combat. Enlisted army soldiers are critical to the Army mission, always ready to directly carry out orders.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur eloquently expressed “duty, honor, country” as the hallowed heart of the Army during his May 12, 1962, speech at West Point.

Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard is the only military organization within the Department of Homeland Security. It has protected our nation’s maritime interests and environments worldwide since 1790.

Our Coast Guard is a military force of maritime professionals protecting our rivers, ports, littoral regions and high seas.

Currently, there are 42,000 active duty members dedicated to readiness as America’s maritime guardians. The Coast Guard motto is “Semper Paratus” (“Always Ready”) and its core values are honor, respect, and devotion to duty.

Marine Corps
The U.S. Marines have been America’s expeditionary force since 1775. The Marines are “Semper Fidelis” (“Always Faithful”) and dedicated to leadership on the battlefield and as citizens when returning to America’s communities.

The core values of the Marines are
• Honor: a code of personal integrity to do what is right when no one is watching.
• Courage: the guardian of all values expressed through mental, physical, and ethical strength.
• Commitment: a spirit of determination that compels the Marine to persevere when others quit.
• Ductus Exemplo: a Latin term translated as “lead by example,” the heart of the Marines character.

Navy
The mission of the U.S. Navy is to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas.

The Navy motto is cited as “Non sibi sed patriae” (“Not self but country”) and its core values are:
•Honor: conducting oneself with the highest ethical principles.
•Courage: living with moral and mental strength to do what is right
•Commitment: dedication to the highest degree of moral character

Final Reflection
The legacy of America urges us to appreciate all veterans who have honored our nation through their service. When we are grateful for the heroism, patriotism, and sacrifices of our veterans we are on the course to reawakening the nation.

As published in Vincent's weekly column titled "Reawakening the Nation" in the Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 edition of the Epoch Times.

Photos
1. U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Carl Zador interacts with Afghan children near Patrol Base Atull in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Nov. 20, 2011. Zabor is assigned to the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group Forward. (Courtesy U.S. Marine Corps by Lance Cpl. Jessica S. Gonzalez)
2. U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles fly over wild land fires following a routine training mission. (Courtesy U.S. Air Force)
3. U.S. Army Capt. John Turner, of Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, interacts with an Iraqi child at Forward Operating Base Lion near Baqouba, Iraq, on Aug. 19, 2009. U.S. soldiers helped fit the boy and six other children with wheelchairs donated by a U.S. charity. (Courtesy Department of Defense by Petty Officer 1st Class Kirk Worley, U.S. Navy)
4. The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell stands at attention among pallets of seized cocaine during an award ceremony at Naval Base San Diego. (Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard by Petty Officer 2nd Class Connie Terrell)
5. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberley Ryan holds hands with Afghan children as they walk to the local children’s shura near Forward Operating Base Jackson in the Sangin district of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province on Jan. 20, 2012. Ryan is the team leader assigned to the Marine Headquarters Group, Female Engagement Team. The team, along with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, has been conducting shuras, or classes, to provide area citizens with a variety of educational opportunities. (Courtesy U.S. Marine Corps, Cpl Ed Galo)