"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

On this Veterans Day, the thanks of a grateful nation is with all of America's uniformed servicemembers, past and present, and with their families. 

A famous William Harvard quote reads, “The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children.”  He is right. And the freedom of which he speaks is only possible because of the brave men and women throughout our history who have answered our country's call to serve in her defense. 

Today is all about those men and women - the ones who have volunteered to give their all, if that is what is asked of them, for our country. They comprise our Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. And they are supported by families who carry their burden of service with them. 

The American people are unmatched in their willingness to sacrifice for the freedom of others. Ours is the first nation in the history of the world that goes to war only to defend and to liberate—never to conquer.  In our campaigns, we seek to build dignity, and we seek to build friendship – for lasting peace, and for the furtherance of freedom.

For those who've taken oaths to leave the comfort of home and the embrace of family to partake in that dangerous but noble work, we are truly indebted.  

Today we honor them and reflect upon the magnitude of what they have given. May we come to give half as much.