Veterans Day

Veterans Day Message – WARPIG7

Today is Veterans Day a time to give thanks to all the men and women who sacrificed their time, their youth, and often their bodies for a greater cause.

Many of us joined the military to find a sense of purpose to belong to a team, to accomplish a mission, and to fight the battles our fellow countrymen could not or would not fight.

What I learned in my 12 years of service is that there are certain people who run toward danger while others are running away. That doesn’t make us better than anyone else it just means we’re wired to help, even if that means risking or sacrificing our lives so others may live.

A lot of veterans struggle after leaving service, whether after 20 years of service or through a medical discharge from injuries suffered on deployment. Many of our brothers and sisters fall into depression, substance abuse, marital problems, financial stress, or isolation.

So tomorrow, when you thank a veteran, go beyond just the words — ask questions.

Ask if there’s something you can do to help.

Ask if they need someone to listen.

Ask if they’ve shared their story or if they need support or counseling.

You might be surprised — many of us will open up. We want to be understood. Beneath the uniform, we’re human. We cry, we laugh, we pray, and we play games with our kids just like anyone else.

Too often, veterans are mischaracterized painted as “alpha males” who only care about guns, working out, or objectifying women. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Talk to us, and you’ll see we’re as diverse, compassionate, and thoughtful as any community in this country.

I’m proud of my service, and I’m even prouder to be married to a veteran who served 10 years. My compassion knows no bounds but I’ll be honest, these past few months have been some of the hardest of my life. They’ve tested me and affected my wife deeply. But quitting? That’s not in our vocabulary.

Still, I’m learning that veterans can’t always fight their battles alone. We’re proud people we don’t like to ask for help. Often, the only time we do is when a loved one reaches out on our behalf. That shouldn’t be the case. We need to remind one another that strength sometimes means opening up.

If you feel called to give back this Veterans Day or on Giving Tuesday, I want to highlight three organizations that have directly impacted my life and countless others:

1.Warriors & Quiet Waters

2.Warrior Sailing

3.Boot Campaign

These organizations are top-notch they’ve saved lives, strengthened families, and restored hope to many of us who’ve struggled in silence. I don’t vouch for anything I don’t believe in, and I believe in their mission completely.

So tomorrow, thank a veteran but also show that gratitude.

Nominate them for an award.

Ask your church to recognize them.

Take a veteran’s family some Christmas gifts.

Remind them that their sacrifice still matters.

Because at the end of the day, veterans only want one thing: for the country they fought for to love them as much as they love her.

This weekend, our beloved Marines celebrated their 250th birthday and as an Army man, I salute them. We joke, we fight, we bleed together. It’s one team, one fight. To the Navy the warriors of the sea. To the Coast Guard the guardians of our borders. To the Air Force the commanders of the skies. And to my brothers and sisters in the Army, especially the mighty 82nd Airborne Division no army in the world stands taller. When they hear the All-Americans are coming, the enemy knows business is about to get handled.

In closing, I want to say this: I love this country for all its good and bad because it gave me purpose. My wife has sacrificed so much alongside me. The soldiers I’ve lost under my command and all those who paid the ultimate price are the reason we’re free to barbecue, laugh, and celebrate tomorrow.

Never forget: this nation is great because of the men and women who have defended her from enemies foreign and domestic. We will always go wherever we must to stop threats before they reach our shores.

Say a prayer today for the warriors we’ve lost from the very beginning of this country until now. They are our silent sentinels, guarding us as we sleep. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, proud warriors. Airborne all the way.

– WARPIG7