There is a day in November that most of us recognize with a day off work, maybe even a
coveted three-day weekend. It’s a day filled with parades, celebrations, speeches, flags, and
family. No, I’m not talking about Thanksgiving. I’m talking about Veteran’s Day—November
11th. It’s a day that sometimes falls on a Monday or a Wednesday but always lands on the
same date.
Veteran’s Day traces its origins to Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I on the
11th hour of the 11th Day of the 11th month of 1918. The ceasefire that ended the “war to end
all wars” became a moment of reflection, and in 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veteran's
Day to honor all American veterans of all wars.
If you’ve read my blogs or followed me for any time, you know I’m a veteran. On this Day, I
reach out to those I served with—thanking them for their service and often receiving thanks in
return. It’s a mutual understanding, a shared pride. We know what it took to serve. We
understand the weight of that commitment, the long hours, the deployments, the sacrifices.
Veterans are recognized on this Day for one reason—our nation understands that to preserve
all that we cherish requires individuals willing to volunteer, serve, and defend. This commitment
is not to be taken lightly.
We take an oath to protect and defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic. For some,
fulfilling that oath means giving their lives, and for that, we have Memorial Day. But when I think
of Veteran’s Day, I think of service before self—answering our country’s needs and calls.
But why write about all of this? Well, as the world gets more complicated, fewer Americans
volunteer. In Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam explores this societal shift. He describes how, over
time, we have moved away from the sense of community and collective responsibility. We are,
metaphorically and literally, bowling alone. We volunteer only after a crisis rather than being
proactive in service. Why is that? What has changed in us as a society? And, more importantly,
what needs to change?
We have a military to ensure we don’t have to fight on our soil, to make us feel safe, and to
develop leaders who will guide our country into the future. Yet, we are seeing fewer and fewer
people stepping up to volunteer. What did we lose along the way? We lost leadership. We’ve
developed risk-averse managers who need more courage to inspire others to serve. And
through their example, they discourage volunteerism.
Think about that. How does a lack of courageous leadership affect our willingness to serve?
According to data from the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), the percentage of
Americans who volunteer has dropped by nearly 25% over the last two decades. Military
recruitment has also declined, with the Army missing its recruitment goal by 25% in 2023. These
numbers should concern us but also allow us to reassess our values and priorities as a nation.
Our society needs accurate information and awareness to feel compelled to serve in any
capacity—not just in the military. We need leaders who will provide that example. We can’t wait
for the next 9/11 to spur a surge in recruitment or community involvement. We need proactive
citizens willing to step up and be part of something larger than themselves. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons we have Veteran’s Day—to remind us of the importance of service and
encourage us to find ways to contribute.
Finally, we must prepare for the next sentinel event that could threaten all we hold dear. Who
will stand in the way of that? What do we tell the people we lead and influence? The answer is
simple: servitude is the key to survival and safety. It sets an example for future generations.
Suppose we keep this trend the same. In that case, Veteran’s Day may someday become just
another day on the calendar—its significance diluted by a society that has forgotten what it
means to serve.
I am proud to have served. I stood in that gap for half my life, protecting our nation. I hope
others will step up and do the same for me and future generations. Servitude comes in many
forms, so please don’t “bowl alone.” Find your way to stand in the gap. On this Veteran’s Day, I
say, “You’re welcome,” and I have one ask: Do the same for all of us and yourself. Service will
make you GREAT.
Give me a shout, let’s chat, and let’s find ways to serve together. Be blessed, and God bless all
my brothers and sisters in arms.