A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165
Each year on November 11, we pause to recognize the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on the courage, commitment, and sacrifices of those who have answered our country’s call, putting the needs of our nation above their own.
Veterans Day dates back to 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I. What began as a day honoring those who served in that war was expanded in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower when he signed legislation officially establishing Veterans Day as a time to recognize all our nation’s brave veterans. To this day, we continue to honor the men and women who have served our nation, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
For me, Veterans Day carries a particularly personal meaning. I was fortunate to grow up with a father whose life was defined by service, both to his family and to his country. My late father, John Cole, devoted twenty years to the United States Air Force, followed by another twenty years as a civilian federal employee at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. His unwavering commitment to our nation and its people shaped how I view duty, sacrifice, and hard work.
My father began his military career in the Army Air Corps on the eve of World War II and by the time he left the military, he was the second most senior Master Sergeant in the Air Force. He was widely respected throughout the service for his exceptional ability to lead aircraft maintenance crews. At McGuire Air Force Base, he won the installation’s “Dock of the Month” award so many times that the base eventually stopped presenting it. When he later transferred to Dover Air Force Base, he was assigned what was considered the worst maintenance dock. True to form, he went on to earn that same recognition seven more times. His accomplishments were a reflection of not only his remarkable mechanical abilities, but also of the pride, determination, and work ethic he brought to his service in the United States Air Force.
Sadly, in the final years of my father’s life, he battled Alzheimer’s disease. My mother, brother, and I watched as the disease gradually took away the memories and experiences that made up his lifetime. Although we ultimately lost him to the disease, we never lost the lessons he taught us or the example he set. The values he instilled in our family were shaped in no small part by his years of military service, and they continue to guide me today. I remain grateful every day to have had a father whose life and legacy are so worth honoring.
His life constantly reminds me that military service is about more than just the years spent in uniform. It is about a lifetime of commitment, the sacrifices made by entire families, and the lasting impact one’s service can have on future generations. We can never fully repay the debt we owe to those who have defended our freedoms and protected the security of our nation. However, we can make certain that their service is never forgotten, that their sacrifices are always recognized, and that the values they fought to defend continue to guide our nation.
This Veterans Day I am especially proud to honor my father and the legacy of service he left behind. So, to him and to every veteran who has worn the uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force, thank you. Your service matters, your sacrifices are not forgotten, and our nation is forever indebted to you.
