Today is Veterans Day. A day when we celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have served in the military to keep our loved ones and our way of life in the U.S.A. safe from those who would take it all away.

Service in the military is very special and particularly rare. While all of us probably know someone who is serving or who has served in the U.S. military, you may not fully appreciate how rare it is. During World War II, we had the highest level of participation of the U.S. population in the military at 9 percent. Today, you might be surprised to know that less than 0.5 percent of the population is serving in the military. Even if you add up everyone living in the U.S. that has ever served, it amounts to less than 6 percent of the total population. Furthermore, everyone who has entered the military since 1973 has done so voluntarily. Therefore, serving in the military is a noble and very rare choice.

Thank you to everyone who has served and continues to serve our country; you truly are special. All of our lives are better, and safer, because of you.

If you haven’t done so yet, I urge you to take the opportunity to specifically thank someone today that has served, or is currently serving, in our military. They deserve our thanks today and every day.