COMMENTARY>>Gen. Lichte’s Veterans Day message

By Gen. Arthur J. Lichte
Air Mobility Command commander

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Veterans Day is the time for all of us to say thank you and pay tribute to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving our great nation with honor and dignity. We owe our freedom to the unwavering support and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to do so today.

The United States has a history of celebrating and remembering our veterans going back to when Armistice Day was first declared in 1919, one year after the end of World War I. In 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all military personnel who have served in both peace and war.

Today, our nation not only continues its efforts to protect our way of life but also to help defend those who are unable to do so themselves. The United States has been able to do this thanks to the millions of service members who have come before us and those who currently serve in the active duty, Reserves or Guard.

As many of you and your family prepare for a well-deserved day off, I ask you to think about your fellow Airmen who are deployed and also those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. We are fortunate to have the world’s best military, not because of the equipment we operate -- it’s the people we have and our veterans who have laid a solid foundation for us.

This Veterans Day, I also need you to spend time thinking about safety and making a concerted effort to put safety at the forefront of everything you and your family do. Think through your plans and look closely at the risk potential involved.

Please continue to be a good wingman for your family, friends and co-workers. It’s our collective responsibility to take care of each other. Everyone is a valuable member of the AMC family, and we cannot afford to lose one person. Your safety, the safety of your wingman, co-workers and family is critical to our mission effectiveness and success.

As we pause and reflect this holiday on the service of our veterans, I want to say thank you to those who have served, and to all of you serving today.

It has been an honor to be your commander. AMC’s active-duty airmen, reservists, guardsmen and civilians accomplish incredible things on a daily basis in support of our country. You’ve made me very proud to have had the privilege to serve with you.

The Lichte family wishes you and your family a very safe and enjoyable Veterans Day, and as we move on to the next chapter of our life, we rest assured knowing our freedom is protected by the world’s best military.