As a wife of a United States Marine, Veterans Day holds a sacred place in my heart. It is more than a day on the calendar; it is a time to pause, reflect, and honor the men and women who have bravely served our country. It is a day to remember that freedom, stability, and the quiet blessings of home and family are not given—they are earned through sacrifice.

I often think about the values my grandparents lived by—the steady, deliberate pace of life, the importance of family, faith, and duty. They taught me that responsibility is not something to be taken lightly, and gratitude is not a mere sentiment, but a way of living. Veterans Day reminds me of this truth. The men and women who served in uniform understood duty in its most profound sense. They rose each day, often leaving behind loved ones, comfort, and security, to protect a nation founded on liberty, faith, and family.

As a military wife, I see the weight of service up close. The sacrifices extend beyond the battlefield. There are lonely nights, missed birthdays, and moments of worry that ripple through the family left behind. But there is also a deep, abiding pride—a recognition that our Marines and soldiers are part of something larger than themselves. They are safeguarding a way of life that honors God, cherishes family, and respects the enduring wisdom of generations past.

In a world that moves fast and often forgets the past, Veterans Day calls us to slow down. To write a note, say a prayer, or simply offer a word of thanks. To remember that the freedoms we enjoy—the Sunday dinners, the quiet evenings at home, the ability to raise our children with faith and virtue—have been defended by brave hearts willing to bear the cost.

Today, I lift up every veteran in my prayers. I am grateful not just for their courage, but for the example they set: to live with honor, to serve without complaint, and to place duty above self. May we, as their families and fellow citizens, emulate their steadfastness in our daily lives, cherishing home, faith, and family above fleeting trends or conveniences.

Veterans Day is more than remembrance; it is a call to uphold the very values these heroes protected. May we honor them not only with our words, but with our lives—slow, steady, faithful, and grateful.