You are important. You are loved. You are remembered.
No matter how big or small your role has been in protecting this country, I thank you. No matter what position you held or what tasks you performed, I thank you. I thank you for giving your life for this country. I thank you for dedicating seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, of your time and constantly putting others above yourself. I thank you for your unwavering commitment to preserving the values of America and of its people.
Whether you stood in the line of fire, directed operations, provided medical treatment for others, I commend you. Your bravery and loyalty to this country is something that can never be matched and for that, I commend you. I commend you for serving as a steadfast image to the people of this country, a picture of someone who is immune to fear and always ready for the fight.
Yet I know, no one is immune to fear. I thank you for overcoming all doubt and all terror in your mind in order to serve the United States of America. I cannot imagine the kinds of experiences you have been subject to and how that changes you as a person. I thank you for being able to put your personal well being behind you and fighting for the lives of so many people that you don’t even know. That has to be the most selfless act in the world, at least I think it is.
You are all amazing people and many individuals, including myself, look up to you. I turn to you when times get tough, when I need a model of courage and strength. You inspire me to be my best and to think about others before myself. I remember how lucky I am to live the life I do. I think about all of the physical and mental challenges you face and I value your perseverance. It is not even close to an easy life that you lead, but your mental toughness gets you through it. It is quite nearly impossible, in my opinion, to reprogram your brain to think of others before yourself, but you do it. You are self-sacrificing, which goes against all primal instincts of the mind. You are incredible.
I think you need to realize that many people love you. And if they don’t love you, they should respect you. You are making the ultimate sacrifice, and how can that not be respected? Thank you so very much.
I also want to personally thank my older brother for his service to this country, both in America and abroad. What you did is amazing, and I look up to you. I love you.
And when any of you doubt your service to this country, just remember: you are important, you are loved, and you are remembered.
