A crowd of over 200 people, the majority of them veterans, packed the auditorium for the Veterans Day ceremony at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center Monday.

 

It was a celebration of life and a somber occasion for families, friends and comrades of those who had given their lives in battle.

 

The guest speaker wasn’t a government official or a high-ranking military leader. Thomas Miller, a Vietnam Veteran and a VA staff member, gave the crowd the Veterans Day Message.

 

He spoke about the veterans in the room - some in wheelchairs, who were being treated at the St. Cloud VA.

 

“Some of these guys probably are in this condition because they took a bullet,” he said.

 

Miller said he often gets a chance to speak with the veterans and has heard important stories of their time at war.

 

“You can learn a lot from talking to these guys. Some of these guys talk about the experiences they went through” he said. “Listen to them. Talk to them. Ask them questions so when you’re sitting at home and your kids ask questions, you can pass it on.”

 

He talked about the history of America’s veterans.

 

“For over 243 years of independence, these patriots still watch over America. From Bunker Hill to Baghdad, their vigilance and determination to uphold the beliefs on which our nation was founded have made us the beneficiaries of their blessings. America has been blessed as no other country in the world.” 

 

“The sacrifices of our Armed Forces have provided an environment of security and freedom in which our nation has grown and flourished - business, law, human rights, economics science, technology and arts.    

 

America has long been a beacon of hope and freedom to others around the world, drawing millions to our shores and serving as a model of democracy.”

 

Miller talked about sacrifices veterans have made, and read a list of statistics from past conflicts.

 

“I know we think we have it hard when we have to get up and go to work every morning, especially in Minnesota when it’s cold out there,” he said.

 

Then he talked about all the men and women who died serving in wars: the American Revolution 4,000 men; War of 1812 2,000; Indian War 106,000; Mexican War 1,000; Civil War 214,000; World War I 53,000; World War II 292,000; Korea 33,000; Vietnam 47,000.

 

“The total is over on million dead,” he said. “You think your job is hard? Sixteen million men and women stepped forward to fight tyranny in WWII, the most epic of American conflicts. They answered our country’s call and led us to victory and world leadership. 

 

That’s the story of American veterans - ordinary men and women who stepped forward to purchase our independence with their service and lives and to help others who felt the oppression of tyranny.

 

We have long persevered - on the windswept beaches of Normandy; on the frozen grounds of Korea; in the sweltering jungles of Vietnam and in the sandy desert and high frozen mountains of Iraq and Afghanistan, and during all the years of restless peaks between conflicts. Today we remember them all.

 

We also remember the men and women who today stand guard and keep peace across the nation and faraway places around the world. Every day they put their lives on the line for us - soldiers, sailors, airmen marines and coast guard who stepped forward and answered the country’s call. They are the veterans of tomorrow.

 

This commemoration is always special for those of us in the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. We are dedicated to serving the needs of 20 million men and women living today who have served in this nation’s armed forces. 

 

It is our duty to remember the sacrifices of all veterans and to make certain that our commitments to them and to their families are honored.

 

We strive to see every day as Veterans Day.