Boozman Salutes Veterans

Statement

Boozman Salutes Veterans

by Boozman Press Office

Since 1938, Americans have paused each November to recognize our nation's most selfless and brave individuals, our Veterans. Armistice Day was initially enacted to recognize the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, and to honor Americans who served in the first Great War. However, in 1954 the United States Congress, with the broad support of Veterans' organizations, replaced the word "Armistice" with "Veterans" so that Americans would take the 11th day, of the 11th month of every year to honor American Veterans of all wars.From the birth of our nation to present day, Americans have responded to the call to protect liberty from tyranny and oppression, both at home and abroad. While many Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of these goals, others return home bearing the visible and invisible scars of battle. I was humbled recently to re-present 14 medals to one of our nation's Veterans who lost his awards in a fire. Throughout his service to the United States, that spanned over 32 years and two wars, Lieutenant Colonel Richard H. Weir compiled 14 medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal, as well as a slew of commendations and accomplishments. It is men like Lieutenant Colonel Weir, alongside the men and women who have come before and after him, that form the bedrock on which the United States stands to become a beacon of freedom to the rest of the world.Today, many Americans serve in dangerous and foreign lands so that our children will inherit a safer United States and a more peaceful world free from terror, genocide, and oppression. They are our professional soldiers and citizen soldiers who step forward and answer our nation's call. They are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters. They come from all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds, but they are all Americans and today we lift them up and honor their service.President Dwight D. Eisenhower said of Veterans Day, "It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure proper widespread observation of this day." It is also my hope and expectation that, once again, all Americans will take this day to demonstrate their appreciation for all of our veterans and the sacrifices they and their families have made in the name of the United States of America. I encourage each and every one of us to reach out and say "Thank you" in our own unique way, because the freedom and security we enjoy today was paid for with the blood and sweat of our Veterans. May we also remember to keep those men and women serving today, and their families, in our thoughts and prayers.

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