Veterans Day is a day when, together, we pause to reflect on American Veterans—the country's brave men and women who have served and sacrificed while wearing the uniforms of the nation, those who have defended our country in peace and in war.
Who are the American Veterans?
Our Veterans are ordinary citizens who accomplished extraordinary things for all of us.
They were sentries who guarded our representative democracy.
Our Veterans are strangers we pass in the street who were ready to sacrifice their lives so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.
They are our brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, neighbors and friends and colleagues.
They are our protectors and defenders, the 41 million who have put on the uniform since the first shots were fired at Lexington Green in April of 1775—19.2 million living among us today,
Every American is a beneficiary of Veterans' vigilance and valor.
Every day, employees of the North Florida/ South Georgia Veterans Health System work to afford our Veterans the highest merit they are due. It is a privilege to represent our grateful nation in keeping faith with the promise of President Lincoln who, in his iconic second inaugural address, charged us to "care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan."
Over the last three years, VA has been engaged in the most significant transformation since the end of World War II—to improve VA's service to Veterans and their families, to keep faith with Lincoln's promise.
Today, the MISSION Act is giving millions of Veterans access to care in their communities.
We expanded the Caregiver Program to include Vietnam Veterans, Korean War Veterans and World War II Veterans injured in the line of duty.
We expanded benefits for Post-9/11 Veterans in The Harry Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, or Forever GI Bill.
And we are caring for thousands of Vietnam Blue Water Navy Veterans.
We're bringing the electronic health record online so when Americans take off their uniforms and leave service for Veterans' ranks, their medical records will seamlessly follow them to VA.
And we have started a national conversation on Veteran suicide and mental health – our top clinical priority.
Our Veterans Day celebration may look different this year, as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that on Nov. 11, we remember, honor, and celebrate all Veterans, our "champions of a noble cause."
On behalf of the myself and our 5,600 North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System employees, we pledge never to forget the sacrifices our Veterans have so generously and selflessly made, for us and our posterity.
Thomas Wisnieski, MPA,
FACHE Director
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System