Veterans Day is our special time that we specifically recognize those who served in our military forces in defense of the freedoms we enjoy today.  It is for me a profound honor to join with you in paying tribute to the brave men and women who we honor this holiday period for their service and sacrifice in all of our wars over the past two centuries. 

Together, we all understand commitment and sacrifice.  General Washington, a Soldier and a Statesman himself who lead the first all volunteer force understood the commitment and sacrifices required to realize the noble goals of the Declaration of Independence – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Washington wrote, “There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well-prepared to meet an enemy”.

Our military fought valiantly during World War I, the “War to End All Wars”.  Especially important then, as now, was the use of the reserves.  My grandfather was a corporal with the Florida National Guard when he deployed with his unit to join General of the Armies John Pershing in the theater of operations. 

During World War II, President Roosevelt was staunch in his commitment to liberty.  As dictatorships reached out to strangle the free world, Roosevelt declared that America must be “the great arsenal of democracy”.  Like Washington, he recognized that freedom has a price. America and her friends and allies rose to the challenge and defeated our enemies on a global scale.  In World War II, exceptional heroes from both the active and the reserve components gave extraordinary service and sacrifice so that we all can live in a free world. 

President Kennedy told the nation, “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger.”  Today, America, her friends and allies face threats far more complex, and far less predictable, than those of the past.  Today, a new generation is privileged to assume that mantle of responsibility, and they have.

As such, we would be remiss if we also did not pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of today’s generation, and in particular, the Guard and Reserve members who are answering that call today.  These brave men and women have a great deal in common with the soldiers of General Washington’s day – they all have volunteered to step forward to defend their country in its hour of need. 

Lastly, just after 9/11, a reporter asked a little girl, “What is patriotism?” This little girl was only nine years old.  She responded, “Patriotism is taking care of America”.  Today, we, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, are helping to take care of America.  We will continue to stand ready, continue to support our Guard and Reserve, and continue our support of America’s employers of Reserve component members.

ESGR remains dedicated to ensuring the men and women in uniform and their employers are properly recognized for their contribution to the defense of the nation..  May our God bless our great organization, our service men and women, and their employers.  And may our God bless America.