Our nation was created by citizens, strengthened by patriots, and protected by soldiers. Military participation as a percent of the population has ranged from 0.5% to 12% throughout our history, and over 40 million Americans have formed the ranks of our national forces. We have 73 holidays dedicated to the remembrance, recognition, and reverence of veterans in our country; a statistic that is greater than any other sovereign state worldwide. Between mixed eras of isolationism and interventionism, pride and remorse, spite and pity, what has been the populace’s reasoning behind holding the image of our veterans so highly?

Since the emergence of conflict, there have been soldiers to settle the issues words couldn’t erase. These men and women fought, killed, or gave the ultimate sacrifice for an idea or belief that was second to none in their minds. That last thought is particularly important to keep in mind before letting any positive or negative prejudices cloud your judgments on the topic. Our veteran-base over these two and a half centuries is primarily composed of volunteers. These brave souls made the decision, in the end, to put themselves in danger with the hope of maintaining their home’s well-being. Walking oneself into gunfire is not a small act by any measure, but choosing to march unabashedly through terrifying odds for your fellow Americans is colossal in meaning.

With the battlefield being the ultimate status of chaos and frightening adrenaline, the participants in combat often times come home as shadows of their previous selves. This transformation can be physical, emotional, or relationship-oriented in nature, and coping with the consequences is often a frustrating, lonely, and unfortunate journey that many Americans have taken before, and many of our fellow citizens are taking now. Staying empathetic, considerate, and patient with those who enlist with your protection in mind is the largest contribution one can make towards improving the lives of their countrymen.

Residing in Colorado Springs allows the constant interaction with members of our armed forces, but the bleak reality of our soldiers’ lives means separation from loved ones or mandatory relocation on a regular basis. The dutiful man or woman has the right to resist, complain about, and resent their orders, but their responsibility outweighs their self-interests. To be able to uproot in a moment’s notice or depart from your family and friends on a dime is second to none in difficulty internally, and yet our military does exactly that whenever necessary. Those levels of dedication are non-existent in the civilian world’s professions, and simply exceptional by any means.

The sheer commitment of their service is completely essential when considering the cause they pledge themselves to. Whether it be toppling cruel or unjust establishments internationally, protecting the defenseless populations globally, or simplistically keeping their American brethren secure, the pursuits and actions of all armed forces affiliates need to be remembered year round. After all, these are the men who led a siege on Yorktown, stopped the splitting of our nation, stormed the beaches of Normandy, scoured the jungles of Vietnam, sabotaged the inner workings of terrorist organizations, and sent infamously awful human beings to their demise. They put themselves behind their constituents’ lives and their nation’s future time after time. Such selfless acts are anything but common in our self-centered day-to-day lives.

What they’re being asked of is tremendous. What they’re requesting in return is nothing more than the credit they have earned over the span of their careers. The sacrifices they make can’t ever truly be repaid in full, but adhering by the basic principles of admiration and kindness will go a long way towards easing the life of a veteran near you.