America Gives Thanks to Freedom's Defenders
A Message from Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson

Today is Veterans Day.

President George Washington said after the Revolutionary War that “we owe these veterans a debt of gratitude, indeed a debt of honor.�?President Lincoln said during his second Inaugural Address that we must “care for him who has borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan."

So, as our nation pauses today to pay tribute to the 50 million veterans �?the men and women who have served our country in uniform throughout its history �?we do so with gratitude and honor. More than one million of these heroes made the ultimate sacrifice, and 1.5 million more have borne the wounds of battle in the defense of liberty. On this day, Veterans Day, America rightly focuses its thanks for our valiant defenders.

In many ways, this single day isn't adequate to express our feelings for our veterans. There just aren't enough hours in one day to properly show our appreciation to the millions of veterans and their families to whom we owe Washington's “debt of gratitude.�?/P>

It is a debt that has accrued since the founding of our Republic. For more than two centuries, heroes have defended America with courage and determination. They were the 18th century patriots who stood against a tyrannical monarchy and breathed life into a fledgling democracy; they are the men and women of the military who, today, are bringing the promise of liberty to oppressed people around the world, and preserving it at home.

Veterans come from all walks of life. They come from cities large and small, from towns, villages, and farms. They are native-born and foreign-born, and represent all the world's races and religions. Yet they share a common bond forged from putting their own lives on hold, swearing an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution, putting on the uniform of the United States, saluting the drill sergeants, and going wherever sent and to do whatever asked. These common men and women have done uncommon deeds and, in doing so, secured for all of us the blessings of liberty and our wonderful way of life.

Another way that America tangibly shows its thanks to veterans is through the Department of Veterans Affairs. I want our newest generation of patriots �?our veterans of the Global War on Terror �?to know that the VA is moving robustly t o assist them as they return from Iraq, Afghanistan and any other duty station where they are serving.

VA has stationed staff on military installations to assist them in their transition from servicemember to veteran, and has initiated new jobs programs for these returning combat veterans. They and their families can count on VA for health care, disability compensation, home loan assistance, educational benefits and more. They have earned it. They deserve our best and they will receive it.

As we commemorate this Veterans Day, it is fitting to reflect on the sacrifices made by our veterans and by their families. Whether we honor this service with grand parades or a simple handshake accompanied by a quiet “thank you,�?these heartfelt gestures let our fighting men and women know we have not forgotten those who answered the call to duty.

Wars have beginnings and endings, but our duty to care for those who fought them must never end.