Veterans Day: What Does It Mean to Me?

By Jason Billstein

This election year has been hotly contested, and we are seeing in the latest polls that our country is greatly divided. Never in recent memory have our viewpoints been so polarized. Yet on this Veterans Day, let us take the time to heal from all of the mudslinging and let us recognize those who made our election possible.

Throughout history, even if we as civilians live through divisive times, the military has exemplified and shown ways we can work together for the common good. Military members are brothers- and sisters-in-arms, no matter what race, creed or religion.

On this Veterans Day, it is important to give a moment of reflection to all the military members, both past and present, who have served our great country. Let us tip our hat, and salute those who fought for our democracy. Let us give thanks to those who have shed blood for our freedom of democracy and for those who come home with both the physical and unseen scars of battle. Many of us can agree that no matter what our political leanings, we all can take the time to say “thank you” to a veteran on this special day.

Jason Billstein, 28, is a senior at Saint Leo University in Florida, and lives with his young family in Lutz, a suburb of Tampa. He served in the U.S. Army for two years and was medically retired.