Dear Patriots,
Do you really understand and appreciate that you are living in the only nation in the world where you can live free, enjoying the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Do you realize and appreciate that your ability to enjoy all the freedoms that this great nation offers come at a tremendous cost? Do you remember and appreciate that starting with the Revolutionary War and continuing throughout the 240 years since declaring our Nation's independence from foreign rule, that your freedoms have been defended and protected by America's brave sons and daughters, of whom more than 665 thousand have given their lives, so that you might continue to enjoy a life style that we have all come to take for granted?
Do you ever stop to remember and appreciate who it was that stopped the aggression that would have enslaved all of Europe, not once but twice in the last century. Do you remember and appreciate who it was that defeated the efforts of one nation to dominate all others across the Pacific, starting with an attack on our own island of Hawaii that claimed the lives of more than 2,500 people, wounded 1,000 more, and damaged or destroyed 18 American ships and nearly 300 airplanes. Do you remember and appreciate who it was that slogged through ice and snow, almost freezing to death on the shores of the Chosin Reservoir, to save another nation and its people from communist aggression? Do you remember and appreciate who it was in Southeast Asia, and more recently in the Middle East, that selflessly gave their all to come to the aid of others so that they too might share in our love of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? When you go to the polls at this same time next year to elect the man or woman who will lead this great nation for the next four years, will you remember and appreciate who it was that guaranteed you that right?
On each hour and each day throughout the year, we owe thanks to America's Veterans for their service and sacrifice to this great nation. But we pause especially on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, now known as Veterans Day, to remember and give thanks to our Veterans -- the brave men and women who have risked their lives on behalf of the United States of America. It was on that date and time in 1918 when World War I ended. In 1926, Congress designated this day as "Armistice Day," to commemorate the end of the "war to end all wars." Soon thereafter, however, war broke out again in Europe, drawing the US into World War II. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as "Veteran's Day," saying "...it is well for us to pause, to acknowledge our debt to those who paid so large a share of freedom's price. As we stand here in grateful remembrance of the veterans' contributions we renew our conviction of individual responsibility to live in ways that support the eternal truths upon which our Nation is founded, and from which flows all its strength and all its greatness."
On this special day, dedicated to remembrance, appreciation, and recognition of those who made it possible for you to live free, I ask you to join me as we stop and give thanks to THE AMERICAN VETERAN.
Yours in Patriotism,
Bob Puskar
National Commander
