| Dear John,
Another Veterans Day is upon us.
My greatest pride is that I served in both the USMC and in the Army, and I can bear the title “veteran.”
Thus, I can call the millions of Americans who serve or who have served my brothers and sisters. They are one of the most honorable and dedicated groups in our nation.
My fellow veterans have a unique, sacred connection to this country. America still stands for freedom and opportunity. America’s veterans not only recognize this, but they have held up their right hand and sworn or affirmed an oath, “to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”. This is essentially committing to sacrificing all the way up to one's life, for the common good.
To all the veterans who have served: Thank you.
To all the veterans who still serve their country and communities in ways great and small: Thank you again.
And on this Veterans Day, I thank all Americans who overwhelmingly, as a people, honor our veterans and military with respect and gratitude.
With Freedom,
John Byrnes | 
