By Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph

One of my greatest honors as your senator is taking part in tributes throughout Southwest Michigan on Veterans Day thanking our service men and women for their outstanding dedication.

America is the beacon of liberty and hope in the world because it remains the home of the brave.

Let us never forget that we enjoy our freedoms and way of life today because courageous men and women have risked – and continue to risk – their lives to defend our great nation.

The willingness of young people to serve is largely reflective on how we treat and appreciate those who already served.
That idea reminds us that saluting our veterans and honoring their service and sacrifice is also about ensuring that America always has men and women committed to her defense.

As long as we have patriots who are willing to risk all they have to serve their country, we will be able to live up to the words of President Abraham Lincoln: “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”

Veterans Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the end of the First World War as a time to honor the enormous sacrifice and selfless dedication of our veterans. The day began as an outpouring of thanks that marked the end of what was once called the Great War – a fight for freedom that was to end all wars.

Unfortunately, that war did not bring an end to all wars. America faced a Second World War and numerous conflicts from Korea to Afghanistan.
Thankfully, America’s finest have always answered the call to stand up for freedom and liberty.

These patriots left their families to ensure that we could live in the land of the free. Some never returned. Their great sacrifice is a debt we can never fully repay.

In heartfelt appreciation of our veterans for their sacrifice, I urge all Southwest Michigan residents to take time to thank them for their service.
God bless our veterans and their families. Thank you.

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien and Cass counties and most of Van Buren County.