Like many of you, I have been enthralled with the recent Ken Burns’ PBS documentary, “The War.”
Filmmaker Burns joined the Library of Congress and the Veterans History Project to preserve the history of the men and women who served during World War II by capturing their stories in this extraordinary documentary. “The War” has given Americans insight into the experiences of those who lived through and served during World War II.
Sadly, we are losing many of our World War II heroes who define our “greatest generation.” The 10th Mountain Division, which saw combat in the Italian theater, recently held a reunion in Denver and conducted interviews to record their remarkable stories. I encourage all of our World War II veterans to record their personal history while we still have the opportunity to hear firsthand from the soldiers who lived the war.
Today, Veterans Day, we honor these veterans who have worn the uniform of the United States of America. We pass by them in our everyday lives without knowing who they are. They are our friends, neighbors and co-workers. They are family members and loved ones. But more importantly, they are our fellow Americans.
Veterans represent the finest of our society and are a symbol of our way of life. These defenders of liberty are our most precious resource to our history and we are grateful to those veterans whose heroism is matched only by their sacrifice. The men and women of our “greatest generation” provide a shining example for all generations to follow. All Americans are indebted to these exceptional men and women for their selfless contributions and the opportunities afforded to us by their gallantry.
Not only do we honor our veterans today, but we also honor their families. It is the family members and spouses who support a nation at war sending supplies overseas and maintaining the home front. We all remember those emblematic posters of Rosie the Riveter, representing women rolling up their sleeves to get the job done for America. These spouses sacrificed much for the cause of freedom enduring long periods of wait and loss for some. Military spouses and loved ones maintained morale and exemplified strength.
Veterans Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude and say thank you to all the men and women who have given so much throughout every U.S. conflict. Thank you to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have answered the call. This day is our opportunity to express our solemn appreciation for those who gave their life defending the freedoms we hold most dear.
So on this day of remembrance, I urge my fellow Americans to not only take time to acknowledge the contributions made by our veterans, but honor those who have served, sacrificed, and performed their duty by preserving their stories.
Republican U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard is Colorado’s senior senator.
