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Veteran's Day: A time to 'remember and honor' all who served

By Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, 45th Space Wing Commander / Published November 06, 2014

Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, 45th Space Wing commander, is joined by (left) Dr. Jim Richey, Eastern Florida State College president, and (right) retired Army Lt. Col. Henry Adams, during the wreath presentation at the 32nd Annual Massing of the Colors Veterans Day event held Nov. 11, 2014, at the George F. Schlatter Veterans Memorial Amphitheater at the Cocoa Campus of Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Christopher Calkins)
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Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, 45th Space Wing commander, is joined by (left) Dr. Jim Richey, Eastern Florida State College president, and (right) retired Army Lt. Col. Henry Adams, during the wreath presentation at the 32nd Annual Massing of the Colors Veterans Day event held Nov. 11, 2014, at the George F. Schlatter Veterans Memorial Amphitheater at the Cocoa Campus of Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Christopher Calkins)

Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, 45th Space Wing commander, served as guest speaker for the 32nd Annual Massing of the Colors Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2014, at the George F. Schlatter Veterans Memorial Amphitheater at the Cocoa Campus of Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Christopher Calkins)
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Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, 45th Space Wing commander, served as guest speaker for the 32nd Annual Massing of the Colors Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2014, at the George F. Schlatter Veterans Memorial Amphitheater at the Cocoa Campus of Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Christopher Calkins)

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PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- On Tuesday, we will celebrate Veteran's Day - for the 60th time since President Dwight Eisenhower signed the bill that changed the name from Armistice Day!  Veteran's Day is a time to remember and honor all who served.

It's the very least we can do, because they really deserve such honors each and every day.

We are very fortunate to have veterans around the world - and in our local community -- who exemplified commitment to duty, willingly displayed valor under fire, and favored humility over personal glory.

Our Veterans are - if they can be summed up in one word - "Simply Remarkable."

Make that "two words."

One of my all-time favorite quotes, which is attributed to Elmer Davis, the Director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II, goes like this: "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

What a poignant, heartfelt and right-on-the-money phrase that is, and it's just as relevant today as it was seven decades ago. 

For as long as we have been the United States, we have had veterans. Our history is filled with their brave actions and quiet courage. 

Faced with different challenges, today's veterans are no different than those in our past. The theme of service before self in the Air Force - and in every service - is a constant one that binds our veterans together through the decades. 

On Tuesday, I ask that you reflect on the foresight, courage and sacrifices of our veterans and remember the courage and sacrifices of today's Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen, who are fighting for freedom and providing humanitarian relief at home and overseas. 

We also need to remember their families and loved ones who stand by their side and support them as they defend our country.

Whether attending a parade, a memorial service (there are several planned all around the Space Coast) or observing the day in private, please reflect upon and mark this occasion by saying "Thank you," to our veterans of our nation's armed forces.

We humbly stand on the shoulders of giants.

Stay Focused, Sharks!

P.S. I will be the guest speaker at the 32nd Annual "Massing of the Colors" event held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Cocoa Campus of Eastern Florida State College. You're all welcome to join us!