OPINION: To every generation that served, thank you

Every Nov. 11, we set aside a day to thank the men and women who have served in our nation’s military. It’s a day to remember that the freedoms we enjoy didn’t come easily, and that generations of Americans have been willing to put their own lives on hold, and sometimes on the line, to protect them.

Veterans Day has its roots in the end of World War I. On Nov. 11, 1918, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the fighting finally stopped. A year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day to recognize the end of a war that many hoped would be the last.

World War II followed, then Korea, Vietnam, and conflicts that have continued into our own lifetime. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day recognizing all who had served our country, not just those who fought in World War I.

When we think about military service, many of us picture the Greatest Generation. These were the young Americans who stormed the beaches of Normandy, fought their way across the Pacific, and flew dangerous missions over enemy territory. They left behind families, jobs, and everything familiar to fight for a country they loved.

Today’s military looks quite different from the one our parents and grandparents knew. The equipment is more sophisticated, and the battlefields extend far beyond land, sea, and air. Drones, satellites, cyber warfare, and precision-guided weapons have changed how our military operates. Today’s service members must master technology that would have been unimaginable during World War II.

But some things haven’t changed. The men and women serving today still leave their families behind. They still miss birthdays, holidays, and the everyday moments most of us take for granted. They still face danger, make sacrifices, and carry the responsibility of defending our country.

The technology has changed, but the commitment to service remains the same.

We shouldn’t forget the generations between World War II and today. Those who served in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and countless other places also answered their country’s call. Some returned to parades and celebrations. Others came home to a nation that failed to give them the welcome they deserved. Every one of them deserves our gratitude.

To the Army, thank you for standing ready to defend our nation on the ground.

To the Navy, thank you for protecting our interests and keeping watch across the world’s oceans.

To the Marine Corps, thank you for your courage, determination, and willingness to answer the toughest calls.

To the Air Force, thank you for defending our skies and supporting our troops wherever they’re needed.

To the Coast Guard, thank you for protecting our shores, saving lives, and keeping our waterways safe.

And to the Space Force, our newest military branch, thank you for protecting the systems that are increasingly important to our nation’s security.

Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to thank all who have worn the uniform, including those who are still with us. If you know a veteran, take a moment to say thank you. Better yet, take the time to listen to their story.

From one generation to the next, Americans have stepped forward when their country needed them. We owe them more than a single day of recognition. We owe them our respect, our gratitude, and a promise that their service was important and will never be forgotten.

May God bless our veterans, their families, and the United States of America. 

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Becky Funk is a member of North Idaho Republicans, former Legislative District 4 Republican Chair, and proud daughter of a three-war veteran.