Veterans thanked for service to US
Nearly a century ago, following the persistent efforts of southwestern Pennsylvania World War I veteran Max C. Floto of Connellsville, President Woodrow Wilson established Nov. 11 as Armistice Day, commemorating the signing of the armistice that halted hostilities at the close of “the war to end all wars.”
But just 20 years later, more than 16 million of America’s sons and daughters answered the call to serve in the Second World War, creating our nation’s largest generation of veterans. In light of these two massive conflicts and to honor veterans of all wars, Congress in 1954 designated Armistice Day as Veterans Day.
Today, our next generation of veterans is once again on duty around the world, projecting America’s military strength to all corners of the globe.
We owe an extreme debt of gratitude to every man and woman who has worn the uniform of our nation’s armed forces, selflessly defending our freedoms. It is thanks to their sacrifices that America stands as the beacon of liberty and freedom envisioned by our founding fathers, continuing to inspire oppressed peoples around the world today.
Last spring, the Department of Veterans Affairs, along with many government and community partners, joined together to right a wrong that has lingered in the hearts and minds of many veterans for more than 40 years. Between 1955 and 1975, some 9 million American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines served honorably during the Vietnam War. But of the 3 million of those who fought in Southeast Asia, many returned home from duty to find a nation in turmoil, a starkly divided country in which their service was not only ignored, but often denigrated.
This year, I have been honored and humbled to lead VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System as we work to correct this longstanding wrong, to recognize properly the service of Vietnam Veterans by welcoming them home and thanking them for serving our nation. In two ceremonies this year, we recognized more than 100 of the nearly 8,000 Vietnam veterans in the region, and more events are planned during the next several years.
I am committed to honoring the promises our nation made to the millions of veterans who bore the heavy burden of defending our freedoms – and to holding our employees to that same high standard. For 90 years, VA Pittsburgh has provided the care and support our nation’s veterans have earned and deserve, and we are proud and honored to continue to serve them into the future.
This Veterans Day, I encourage you to take the time to thank veterans for their service. Listen to their stories. Discover their reasons for serving. Learn about the sacrifices they and their brothers and sisters in arms made to defend the rights we hold so dear. Veterans Day is a time not only to thank veterans, but also to preserve the legacy of their service for years to come.