Honor veterans by upholding America’s rule of law
There should be parades today to honor our nation’s military veterans, but COVID-19 has other plans that preclude such gatherings.
That’s unfortunate, but we must not let this relentless global infection prevent us from paying homage to those brave men and women who secured our right to the freedoms that define America.
And just as importantly as remembering those who took an oath to uphold the constitution and put on service uniforms in years past, some even dying to fulfill their pledge, we must support those who continue to answer the call today.
They are women and men who put our safety and freedom ahead of their own hopes and dreams.
Some willingly interrupt education, career and family plans to serve their country. Others choose to make military service their life’s work, seeing it rightfully as an honorable path even as it requires them to surrender personal choice to follow orders of commanding officers that might put them in harm’s way.
We are forever grateful to those Americans who do not see military service as a journey undertaken by “losers” and “suckers.”
The willingness of our fellow countrymen and women to serve is especially important today, as the majority of the United States’ military readiness is provided by reservists – those who volunteer for commitments of six years or more to serve in the National Guard and Reserve forces of the various military branches. They comprise 65% of deployed Army troops serving around the world to protect our interests abroad.
In fact, the willingness of Americans to serve and die for this nation has been so strong that the United States has not had to draft citizens into military ranks in 47 years.
As we pause today to pay tribute to our veterans, it is appropriate also to thank others who make their sacrifices possible. Some families will have an empty seat at Thanksgiving tables this year. We should all send up prayers of thanks for those who died in our service, and pray for others to return home safely once deployments end.
Employers of reservists also deserve our appreciation. They hold safe the jobs of employees who undergo weeks of training throughout the year, commit to regular weekend drills and, when called up for deployment, must leave behind their work responsibilities for military obligations lasting six months to a year.
The most exemplary employers for supporting the service of their workforce are honored each year by the Department of Defense and its program known as Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Central Ohio companies and organizations who have received the highest honors by ESGR include Cardinal Health and Nationwide. See more at ESGR.MIL.
All branches of the U.S. military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and now Space Force – are respected worldwide for their discipline, dedication and their unwavering commitment to uphold the values on which this nation was founded.
The vow essential to all veterans, past and present, is to keep America strong — not by playing the role of pawns sacrificed recklessly for selfish pursuits of corrupt leaders but by providing power to enforce the rule of law.
Just as our service members protect us, we must also protect them, by recognizing the honor with which they serve and ensuring their service will always and only be activated for high ideals of justice and equal protection under the law. We owe them no less.