This past Veterans Day, we paused, as a nation, to recognize and give thanks to the men and women who have served in the armed forces of the United States.

Veterans Day is not just another date on the calendar. It is a reminder that the freedoms we enjoy each day, the right to speak our minds, to gather in peace, to pursue our dreams, have all been secured by the dedication and sacrifice of those who were willing to serve.

We honor all veterans from every era. But I want to speak about a generation of veterans whose service was defined not only by the challenges of war, but also the challenges of returning home. I am speaking, of course, of our Vietnam veterans. More than 2.7 million Americans served in Vietnam. They came from every state, every town, and every background. They were young—many just out of high school—yet they answered when their nation called. They put aside their own plans, left behind their families and communities, and served with courage and valor in a place most had never known before.

In the jungles, the rivers, the skies, and the seas, they faced an enemy who was determined and a terrain that was unforgiving. They endured long deployments, grueling conditions, and constant danger. And through it all, they carried out their mission with honor, with loyalty to their brothers and sisters in uniform, and with faith in one another.

But unlike veterans of other wars, when they returned home, too many did not receive the gratitude they had earned. Instead of parades and celebrations, they often faced silence, misunderstanding, or worse. Their service was questioned when it should have been honored. Their sacrifice was overlooked when it should have been remembered. And yet—despite that burden—Vietnam veterans never stopped serving.

They returned to their families and communities. They became teachers, coaches, business leaders, and public servants. They built careers, raised families, and contributed to the strength of our nation in countless ways. They also became the advocates and leaders who fought to ensure that no generation of veterans would ever again be forgotten. It was Vietnam veterans who stood up for better health care and benefits. It was Vietnam veterans who pressed for recognition of post-traumatic stress, for treatment of Agent Orange exposure, and for support systems that future veterans would rely upon. In many ways, their struggle paved the way for how we now honor and sup-port today’s veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond.

Our Vietnam veterans represent courage in the face of adversity, resilience in the face of hardship, and patriotism that endures through every trial. They remind us that duty is not measured by the popularity of the mission, but by the willingness to serve when called. On this Veterans Day, we honored not only their service in uniform, but also their example as citizens, leaders, and role models. They taught us the true meaning of sacrifice, perseverance, and loyalty.

As we reflect on their legacy, let us also remember those who did not make it home. More than 58,000 Americans gave their lives in Vietnam. Their names are etched in granite on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, but their stories live on in the hearts of their brothers and sisters in arms, and in the history of our nation. We honor them today—and every day—with our remembrance. Let us also remember the families of Vietnam veterans. They too bore the burdens of service, the sleepless nights, the empty chairs at family gatherings, the long waits for letters and phone calls. Their sacrifices were quieter, but no less real. To them, we owe our gratitude as well.

In closing, let us be reminded that Veterans Day is not only about looking back, it is also about looking forward. It is about making sure that every veteran, from every generation, receives the care, the support, and the recognition they deserve. The best way we can honor our Vietnam veterans is not only with our words today, but with our actions every day—by listening to their stories, by supporting veteran organizations, by reaching out to those in need, and by teaching future generations that freedom is not free.

And so, in the words of General Colin Powell, who served as a soldier in the Vietnam era: “The nation owes a great debt to its veterans, whose service to our country has ensured our freedom and our security. Our debt to these heroes can never be repaid, but we can honor them and we must.”

Let us forever be reminded this holiday season to honor our Vietnam veterans and honor all who have worn the uniform, and may we remain forever grateful for their service and sacrifice. May God bless our Vietnam veterans. May God bless all who have served. And may God continue to bless the United States of America.