As time goes by and I attend more and more Veterans Day functions, I find it more challenging each time to put into words the emotions surrounding the experience we share.

For me, it was Vietnam. For you, it may have been World War II, Korea or Desert Storm. The life of a soldier, of a freedom defender, is not an easy one, no matter the branch of service; no matter the conflict undertaken.

The experience leaves us with a contradiction. We’ve got heavy hearts full of pride. We’re disturbed by the realities of war, just as our fellow American citizens. But we’ve dealt with the suffering, the loss, the pain. Because we know that our great nation is worth fighting for. It’s worth the sacrifice.

So I stand before you as a member of the brotherhood.

I want to leave you with the words of Rev. Denis Edward O’Brien of the U.S. Marine Corps. Think about what this means, and then be proud of what you’ve accomplished:

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, who salutes, the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn it.”

Above all, on this Veterans Day occasion, I want to say ‘thanks’. It’s the reason I host this luncheon. Because of you, we’re able to live in a free society. There aren’t many greater gifts.