Submitted by Jose A. Garcia, Chief Warrant Officer 5, USMC (Ret.)
A veteran is someone who made one of the most personal and consequential decisions of their life: to raise their right hand, take an oath, and pledge to defend a nation they love, a family they cherish, and the freedoms they believe are worth protecting. It is a decision rooted in faith, patriotism, courage, and the willingness to place service above self.
A veteran knows what it means to leave home with a heavy heart, embrace loved ones goodbye, and wonder when—or if—they will see them again. They know the pain of missing a child’s first steps, a spouse’s embrace, or a parent’s final days. They carry the burden of duty while their hearts remain with the families praying for their safe return. At war, they face fear, exhaustion, and the loss of friends who become family. Some return physically wounded; others carry invisible scars that never completely heal.
To a veteran, the folded American flag is deeply personal. It represents the oath they took, the uniform they wore, the comrades they lost, and the sacrifices their families endured. It is a final salute to those who gave everything and a reminder that the freedom we cherish was defended by real people with real lives, hopes, and loved ones.
Yet too many veterans grow old feeling forgotten. We see the gray hair, the aging grandparents, and those sitting alone in nursing homes, but we may never know the courage behind their eyes or the battles still carried in their hearts.
We honor veterans by visiting them, listening to their stories, supporting their families, and ensuring they receive the care and dignity they deserve. Most importantly, we must remember them beyond a single holiday.
To every veteran: your service matters, your sacrifice is not forgotten, and your brothers and sisters will always be part of your story. For God, for country, for family—we stand because you stood, we remember because you sacrificed, and we will never forget!