Veterans Day is the day we pause to honor those who wear or have worn the uniforms of our nation’s armed forces in order to keep this nation free.

From the American Revolution to the War On Terror, the men and women of our armed forces have held the line that separates the American people from those who would oppress and enslave them. They have not only held that line and protected freedom in this country, but have extended the blessings of liberty to much of the rest of the world. The men and women of the American military are this country’s greatest ambassadors and the greatest sentinels of liberty the world has ever seen. The world is a better place because of America’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines and the battles they have fought on behalf of this nation and its freedoms.

All this, however, has come at a great price, a price paid by the members of our armed forces who have often had to endure long separations from their families, friends, communities and the comforts of civilian life. They have also had to endure the difficult terrain and weather of foreign lands and the deprivations that come with living in such environments. Then there’s the battlefield itself where they risk injury, imprisonment and even death at the hands of fanatical and ruthless enemies who will not hesitate to commit the most monstrous of atrocities, not only against their American enemies but against their own people.

Our fighting men and women risk much, but they do so willing, defending freedom as only those reared in a free society can. That society is free because in previous generations there have always been men and women willing to sacrifice everything to defend their country and the cause of liberty. This country continues to enjoy the blessings of liberty because it continues to be blessed with men and woman willing to put on the uniforms of its armed forces and risk everything to defend the land they love and the freedoms they cherish.

So it is appropriate that we as Americans set aside a special day to honor our veterans who have done more than the rest of us will ever be capable of doing to keep this nation free and foster freedom around the world. It is even more appropriate that we honor them the rest of the year as well.

Officially, Veterans Day is today, but as long as America is free every day should be Veterans Day because every day of freedom we enjoy is another day we owe to our veterans.