The Ripon Forum

Volume 55, No. 5

Veterans Day 2021

“We remember and honor the sacrifices, both large and small.”

By on November 8, 2021

by VAN TAYLOR

Captain Van Taylor in Nasiriyah, Iraq, in March of 2003.

The veterans who forged the greatest nation on earth stood ready to secure our individual rights and liberties no matter the cost. With an unwavering faith, our founders created the land of the free and we have led the fight against tyranny throughout history. From battling Spanish Imperialism to liberating concentration camps in Nazi Germany, the United States Armed Forces confronted and successfully defeated totalitarianism.  

At one point in every veteran’s life, they made the tough decision to leave behind the comforts of home to fight for a cause bigger than themselves. Whether it is missing the birth of a child, or a best friend’s wedding, to the small things many of us take for granted like picking your kids up from school or sitting around the dinner table with your family – our veterans knew they would never get these moments back and chose to serve regardless.  

They made the tough decision to leave behind the comforts of home to fight for a cause bigger than themselves.

Every Veteran’s Day, we remember and honor the sacrifices, both large and small, made by those who valiantly served in our nation’s armed forces and their loved ones. I proudly represent Texas’ Third Congressional District, which is home to an outstanding community of veterans who gather every Veteran’s Day. Whether its breakfast at the Sam Johnson Memorial Center or a ceremony in a neighborhood park, the importance of annual Veteran’s Day events cannot be overstated.  

Many Americans commemorate this revered day by making a pilgrimage to one of our nation’s famous war memorials on the National Mall. In fact, the National Mall in Washington, D.C. is seen globally as place for Americans to gather and observe our sacred war memorials. It is common to witness veterans and their families tucking flowers into names etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or hear veterans share their stories at the World War II Memorial. These memorials are much more than just a location showcasing words in stone, they provide a way for veterans, servicemembers, and their families to reflect and heal from the shared experiences of fighting for our country in war.

We remember and honor the sacrifices, both large and small, made by those who valiantly served in our nation’s armed forces and their
loved ones.

As we commemorate this Veteran’s Day in the wake of the twentieth anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Global War on Terror veterans and their families still do not have a place on the National Mall to remember their time of service. Further, a grateful nation does not have a national tribute to honor and recognize the sacrifices of our heroes in the War on Terror. I’m proud to join my colleagues in the bipartisan For Country Caucus, which is comprised of principled military veterans serving in Congress, to push for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act. This important legislation would authorize the creation of the Global War on Terror Memorial on the National Mall to honor the millions of Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since September 11th 

I look forward to continuing to work in Congress to support our nation’s veterans and hope you will join me this Veteran’s Day in thanking those who understand service before self is more than just a creed, but a way of life. May God bless our troops and their families. 

Van Taylor has represented Texas’ 3rd district since 2019. Taylor served in the U.S. Marine Corps and attended The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, and graduated first in his class from Sniper Employment Officer Course. He completed Intelligence School as the Marine Honor Graduate and commanded First Marine Regiment’s Reconnaissance Platoon in Camp Pendleton, CA. After completing that assignment, he served as an intelligence officer for an artillery battalion. Taylor later joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, where he was deployed to Iraq where he fought with 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company.

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