Veterans Day Message from Interim President Passerini

"Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom, for they've suffered the scars of war. We can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us."

— President Ronald Reagan, November 5, 1983

For Americans everywhere, Veterans Day provides an important opportunity to honor our military heroes — the men and women who served with dignity and distinction in the U.S. armed forces.

It is wonderful to live in a country where veterans from every generation have advanced freedom around the globe. To properly recognize their service, we must first remember they are near and dear to each of us.

Veterans are family members; fathers and mothers, grandparents, uncles and aunts, sisters and brothers. They are neighbors and friends, coworkers, professors, students and members of the priest community. And veterans are people you meet every day; the cashier, the crossing guard; the receptionist.

Surely all of us know someone to whom we can extend our gratitude.

Veterans Day is also important because America’s former soldiers wear no regalia except on special occasions. After their service is over, they willingly return to civilian life — seldom speaking of what they saw and endured — asking nothing in return for the sacrifices they made on behalf of the nation.

On Saturday, I ask that all of us make a special effort to thank at least one veteran (and hopefully more than one!) for living out the highest level of patriotism.

It is one small but meaningful thing we can do for all they have done for us.

With gratitude,

Katia Passerini, Ph.D.
Interim President

Categories: Nation and World