Thoughts on Veterans Day by TruView Operations Supervisor Robert Tolley
As a United States Army veteran, Veterans Day holds special meaning for me. It is a day to celebrate, and pay tribute, to the millions of men and women who have served, and continue to serve our nation.
Veterans Day was initially called Armistice Day, to observe the end of World War I. In 1938, Congress changed the day’s significance to honor our nation’s veterans for their service. In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
Veterans Day is a rightful day of honor for all men and women in military service, past and present. It is an opportune reminder to thank veterans for their sacrifice and let them know that they are not forgotten. It is an opportunity, regardless of political views, to demonstrate our respect and appreciation for all that our military service members do to protect the freedoms we cherish.
On a personal level, my heart swells with pride on this day—pride in my small part in service, and pride in my family for all they sacrificed while I was away from home for all those years. But most important, I have immense pride in my brothers who are currently in the fight, defending our nation and leading the charge against tyranny and oppression throughout the world.
I often wonder, during random moments in a day, what my brothers are doing at that very moment. Or where in the world they may be working. I try to imagine myself there with them… the sights and smells and sounds of a foreign land and foreign peoples. I imagine sitting in a hut with them, talking to local civilians or military members about their worries, their stories, their successes.
I smile then because these thoughts always bring back so many great memories. I smile now because I am happy in knowing my brothers are doing what they were trained to do, and that America is thanking them for their service on this most special day.
Thank you, America, for the privilege of serving you.
Robert Tolley, Operations Supervisor for TruView BSI, was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army, serving in various Special Operations Command elements, with deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan and North Africa.
