If there ever was a group within our American citizenry who deserve our gratitude and respect --- who deserve their own special day of remembrance --- that group, those citizens are our veterans. 

While all of us can testify to their bravery on our behalf, only they can tell us the impact  of what they experienced on our behalf, especially those who endured the heat of battle on land, at sea or in the air throughout the years that have passed since "Armistice Day" was first created to commemorate the end of World War I.  The name of that celebration changed during my lifetime but its purpose has remained the same: to honor and thank those who defended our nation and its peoples at its hour of maximum danger.  Some of our military women and men paid the maximum, ultimate price in the process and they are deservingly remembered on their own national holiday. 

But those who wore the uniform proudly, who served our country without hesitation and who emerged from their service able to tell the tale are the special recipients of our nation's attention on this and every "Veterans' Day."

To honor them is not to glorify militarism or war as some have suggested nor does it mean that we have turned our back on the call to peace deeply rooted in the Gospel message.  No, to honor them, rather, is to lift up their sacrifice for others, a sacrifice that placed them in harm's way so that their fellow citizens --- so that we --- might live our lives without harm, in freedom and in peace.  We owe our veterans a debt of deep and abiding gratitude since their service has made it possible that we remain free.  So noble a purpose has ennobled a nation in its most critical moments and has ennobled those among us --- our veterans --- to lift their heads high as we pay them fitting tribute and thanks on this, their special day of remembrance. 

Happy Veterans' Day to our country’s finest and best!

Most Reverend David M. O'Connell, C.M.
Bishop of Trenton