The 11hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – Veterans Day 2020

Lest we not forget. Join us as we celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the armistice ending World War I. The Giles B. Cook American Legion Post 53 hosted the event this year.  Rick Kinsey, Commander of Post 53 made the opening remarks and introduced guest speaker Laltit “Pip” Piplani, Sgt-at-Arms Post 53.

The following message is from Robert Wilkie, Secretary of Veterans Affairs:

On Veterans Day in 1988, Ronald Reagan said … “We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty. . . Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause.”

Each Veterans Day is a remembrance set aside to honor those who have defended our country in peace and war.

On November 11th, we pause to reflect on American Veterans, men, and women who have served and sacrificed while wearing the uniforms of the Nation—ordinary Americans performing extraordinary service.

In March 1864, after almost 3 years of devastating fighting in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln reminded the nation of the sacrifices veterans make for us all … “All that a man hath he will give his life for his country … the soldier puts his life at stake, and often yields it up in his country’s cause. The highest merit, then, is due the soldier.”

That demonstration of “highest merit” has now spanned 244 years, founded upon a singular, enduring principle—Liberty and Justice for All.

Every American is a beneficiary of veterans’ vigilance and valor, and their contributions to our way of life are incalculable. At the Department of Veterans Affairs, every day is Veterans Day. We are privileged to work to repay, in full, our country’s debt of gratitude…  to Veterans who were there when we needed them most. We represent our grateful nation in delivering to those Veterans the programs and services they earned.

In doing so, we keep faith with the promise of President Lincoln, who promised in his iconic second inaugural address to “care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan. ” On Veterans Day 2020, we remember and honor all “champions of a noble cause” … and pledge never to forget the sacrifices they made for us.

On behalf of VA’s over 415,000 employees, I am proud to extend to America’s veterans our department’s heartfelt appreciation and thanks for your service in the formations of the United States Armed Forces.

Thank you and God Bless you all.

Robert Wilkie

The Honorable Robert L. Wilkie was sworn in to serve as secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 30, 2018. He also served as the acting secretary of Veterans Affairs from March 28, 2018, to May 29, 2018.

Before confirmation as VA Secretary, Mr. Wilkie served Secretary James Mattis as his Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness—the principal advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense for Total Force Management as it relates to readiness, National Guard and Reserve component affairs, health affairs, training, and personnel requirements and management, including equal opportunity, morale, welfare, recreation, and the quality of life for military families.

Watch the ceremony on the exclusive Royal Examiner video: