Freedom isn’t something we inherit; it’s something we must keep alive. On Veterans Day, we pause to honor those who served, but we should also reflect on what their service means today.
I’m not a veteran, but I come from a family that understands sacrifice. My grandfather served, as did other members of my family, and my son serves now. Through them, I’ve learned that freedom isn’t passive. It is an active responsibility, something we defend, value, and protect every day.
The men and women who put on a uniform didn’t do it to glorify war. They did it to preserve the American way: a belief in freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and the right to live without oppression. They fought for the idea that individuals should be able to speak openly, choose freely, and live with dignity.
We may not face the same kind of battles on our own soil today, but that doesn’t mean the fight is over. There is always a struggle for truth, for the right to think independently, and for the balance between choice and control, honesty and manipulation.
Some people look at the Constitution as if it’s a relic from another era, a document meant to be admired rather than followed. But it isn’t a suggestion. It’s a living promise — a contract that guarantees inherent rights for all citizens. That promise, defended by generations of veterans, is what separates the free from the violated.
The best way to honor those who served is to continue their work: to live with courage, to speak truthfully, and to show unwavering respect for the freedoms they preserved.