The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Simple, easy to remember and oh so important.

In a time when hatred and discord dominates our national news and our political leaders show the same disdain for our military as they do for their adversaries across the aisle, it is more important than ever to remember those who gave of themselves and the sacrifices by their family for our country.

Yes, our country. Not the country of the right or the left. Not the country of this party or that party. Not the NRA or those who oppose it. Not even those pro-life or pro-choice, and certainly not those for or against vaccinations.

It is very sad how we as Americans can attack each other over societal issues and completely lose sight of the things that made this the great nation that it is.

All of the freedoms that our veterans have fought for are on the line still today.

Most of the battles recalled on Veterans Day in speeches given by our headline grabbing, spotlight stealing and microphone swallowing politicians will be those fought on foreign soil.

The brave men and women who have served our country remain our greatest asset. Their bravery and dedication to God and country is what makes us different from most of the world.

It matters not who is seated in the White House or which party holds the majority of votes in Congress. Most of them served the same number of days in the military and stared down the barrel of enemy guns as this writer has. That would be zero.

The reason we can write zero is because those who did serve made it possible for us to live here safely and with more dignity and comfort than any other country in the world.

During the War of 1812, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry reported to his superiors, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.” In 1970, that phrase was adapted on a poster for Earth Day to say “we have met the enemy and he is us.”

Today, in 2021, we have the opportunity to further honor the veterans of our military both living and dead by stopping the ridiculous antics that divide us and instead focus on an even better future for Americans.

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, let us lay down our weapons of self-destruction that are the words coming out of our mouths.

Let freedom ring across the land for “Truth, Justice and the American Way” (The quote is from a “Superman comic” in 1948). Ladies and gentlemen of all branches and rank: Thank you for your service, and God bless America.

—RV