Let’s follow the example set by our U.S. veterans

Eighteen million Americans — or just about 7% of the adult population — were veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in a recent year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
That means the overwhelming majority of us have not worn a military uniform and have not experienced combat or deployment — or indeed any of the stresses that come with military life.
And so, we are deeply indebted to those who have. They have assumed the burden of countries and nations in war, exemplifying its democratic values when they’re dispatched to other countries, and serving their fellow Americans in times of disaster and crisis.
In whatever war or conflict they served, they did so selflessly, making sacrifices on behalf of our beloved nation — sacrifices the rest of us only can imagine.
As one veteran said, “We lost friends in combat and military training. We put ourselves at risk during time of war, and in some cases, literally dodged bullets.”
They did so without hesitation, “because we were committed to serving this great nation and the values for which it stands.”
The phrase “thank you for your service” has been uttered so often to veterans that it’s become a cliche. But they truly deserve our thanks, and not just on Veterans Day.
Our nation is struggling now. We are involved in two wars, which could easily be called three when you consider the chaos being allowed at the southern border.
The nation is more divided than ever before, which seemed to begin two summers ago when our federal leaders and big city authorities allowed unrest and lawlessness to go with no price to pay. It opened the door to the newest division on college campus of Jews being targeted, bullied and attacked, with college presidents doing little to stop it.
Our economy is in a shambles with inflation and high gas prices just the start of the burden being placed on the middle-class families who live paycheck-to-paycheck.
Perhaps if we followed the sacrifice and commitment to this country that our veterans displayed it would be an example for behavior to change, and Americans to begin acting more like Americans who care about each other. While national media continues to flame the fire of racism and hate at every opportunity they see, we believe that is far from the truth and the vast majority of Americans are not racist.
On this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, let’s begin heading in the other direction by following the example of our veterans who put our country, our fellow man, and our communities first.