More on Monday: Thank A Veteran

Honoring Service, Recognizing Sacrifice: A Deeper Look at Veterans Day

Reflecting on Courage

As we pause to honor Veterans Day, our recent reflections on kindness and courage take on even deeper significance. Veterans embody these traits profoundly—they demonstrate not only the courage to face physical and mental challenges but also the kindness and commitment to protect and serve a community beyond themselves. Their courage to serve, knowing the sacrifices it may demand, parallels the quiet courage we should cultivate in our own lives—standing firm in our values, examining our flaws, and contributing to the greater good.

Honoring the Sacrifices of Families

This Veterans Day, as we honor those who have served and those currently serving, I’d like us to reflect on a few often-overlooked aspects of the sacrifices made for our country. Veterans Day is a time to remember the courage of those who wear the uniform, but it is also a time to acknowledge the ripple effects of their service—the quiet, enduring sacrifices made by the families who stand by them.

Every deployment leaves an empty place at home.

Spouses, parents, and especially children carry the weight of separation, navigating life with an ever-present hope for their loved one's safe return. These families are steadfast in ways many of us may never fully understand. Waking each day with wonder and uncertainty, powerless over when they may hear from their loved one next. They embody resilience and strength that is difficult to put into words and often goes without the recognition their sacrifices deserve. Today, I extend my appreciation to the families of every veteran—they, too, deserve our gratitude and support.

Supporting Veterans in the Workplace

Then there’s the ongoing journey of those who come home with visible and invisible scars. Many veterans of the Gulf Wars are now part of our workplaces, and among them are individuals navigating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Having had the privilege of working alongside someone affected by PTSD from their time in service, I understand that the impact of deployment extends well beyond the battlefield. These men and women bring extraordinary strengths, yet they also carry profound burdens that may be invisible to those around them.

I encourage leaders to acknowledge this issue in the workplace. If a veteran employee is open to it, begin an open, supportive dialogue to express your willingness to support them. We must remember that while it seems there is a barrier between our work lives and our home lives, to help an individual discover their full potential, this barrier needs to be removed, and we must help the whole person become more.?

Addressing the Veteran Suicide Crisis

Finally, we must acknowledge the heartbreaking crisis of veteran suicide. An article published in March by Mission Roll Call states:?

“Every year, the VA conducts the largest national analysis of veteran suicide rates. According to their 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report – based on data from 2021 – veteran suicide rates increased by 11.6% from 2020. On average, according to the VA, more than 17 veterans take their own lives each day.”

While there is some debate over the exact daily number, that debate seems trivial in comparison to the fact that we are losing any veterans at all to suicide. This statistic speaks to the weight many veterans bear alone—a weight we cannot ignore. As a society, we have a responsibility to ensure that our gratitude extends beyond words, creating spaces where veterans feel truly supported and valued. On this Veteran’s Day, my hope is that sharing this will spark your interest in being more supportive of those who have served, who are serving, and will serve in the future.

Moving Toward Deeper Commitment

So, on this Veterans Day, let us honor our veterans by deepening our awareness. Let us recognize the courage it takes to serve, the quiet strength of the families left waiting, and the unseen struggles that many face long after their service ends. In doing so, we move beyond simple gratitude, toward a more meaningful commitment to those who have given so much.

Reflective Prompt for the Week

As you go about your day and week, while Thanking A Veteran is a tremendous start, I encourage you to consider how you might offer just a little bit more. As you reflect on this week’s message, remember that many veterans and their families need much more than gratitude.

A Few Very Small Ways I Offer My Support

If you’re interested in learning more about ways to support veterans and their families, here are a few organizations and companies dedicated to making a difference. Brands like GoRuck, a veteran-owned company, as well as initiatives like the Step Up Foundation, Til Valhalla Project, Stop Soldier Suicide, and various other Veteran Suicide prevention programs, are doing important work. By supporting these organizations, we can contribute to a broader community of care and commitment that honors veterans not just on Veterans Day, but every day.

Share More On Monday

If you found this helpful, I’d encourage you to share it with at least one other person who needs to hear this message right now. They may thank you for it.?

Subscribe: Business at the Speed of AI.

To learn more about me, and the latest projects I am working on, visit: www.jeremyvictor.com.