In the United States, we observe two holidays to honor those who have served our nation through military service.
The first, Memorial Day, commemorates those who died in that service. Today is Veterans Day where we pause to recognize the sacrifices of all those who served, including those for whom that service did not require “the last full measure of devotion,” as Lincoln eloquently put it at Gettysburg.
Through Veterans Day, we recognize the sacrifices, large and small, of all who served or have served. We honor not only those whose service has required them to be in harm’s way, but for all those who are called to perform in support of those fighting men and women. Every sacrifice is important and worthy of our appreciation because each has contributed to the whole.
This year, Veterans Day comes soon after a bitterly-contested presidential election where, for the fifth time in our history and the second time this century, the winner of the popular vote lost the electoral vote. The nature of that outcome mirrors the deep divisions among the people that will undoubtedly persist.
Given that, Veterans Day is one of the few things we find that bears no partisan stain. Republicans, Democrats and Independents have fought, fight and are poised to fight in defense of our country and have the respect of All Americans.
It is good, at this particular moment, to find a respite from the deep divisions in our country, as we reflect our long journey and those who sustained it through military service.
When our Founding Fathers boldly proclaimed independence to establish a new form of government where authority came from the people, none were so naive as to believe that such a bold stand could come without a staggering cost.
For the past two and a half centuries, it is the men and women of our armed forces who have paid that cost to preserve an idea and a way of life that all Americans have come to enjoy and, all too often, take for granted.
Our military men and women stand ready to pay any cost to preserve those values.
We encourage every American to honor that commitment, either privately, or collectively by participating in Veterans Day events today on the Mississippi State University campus or Saturday in downtown Columbus.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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