On November 11th we celebrate Veterans Day and recognize all who have served our nation with honor and distinction. Veterans have earned our undying gratitude, and we will never forget their sacrifices. We honor all who answered the call to serve.

As the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army I work closely with some amazing Army soldiers and veterans. I see firsthand the positive impact Army veterans have on their communities, and how their service equips them with valuable skills and experiences. By sharing their positive experiences in the military, veterans can educate the public and encourage the next generation to serve. The U.S. Army values and cares for its Veterans both during and after their service. In fact, about half of the civilians working in the Army are Veterans, often called “Soldiers for Life.”

Duty to our country is one reason people want to serve in the Army. It opens a path to a life of service. The U.S. Army offers diverse opportunities for rewarding and dynamic careers in service. Army Soldiers can choose from a wide range of jobs and careers. They make lifelong connections. This experience makes them invaluable contributors to their organizations and communities once they retire from the Army.

Currently, only one percent of our nation serves in the military, and 61 percent of those who serve are more likely to have been exposed to military life through friends or family. It’s an indicator that Veterans have first-hand knowledge of the benefits of a military career and can bridge the gap between those who are familiar with military life and those who have never considered the military as a career. If you are a Veteran, I encourage you to share positive stories about your service this Veterans Day.

Veteran stories connect Americans with the value of Army service and inspire the next generation to serve. History of Veterans Day For nearly a century, we have observed Veterans Day on the anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting along the Western Front in World War I on November 11, 1918. In 1938, Congress made Armistice Day an official, annual national holiday. In 1954, its name was changed to Veterans Day. While Memorial Day is a time to remember those who died in the service of their country, Veterans Day is a time to remember all those who have served – past and present.

Many of our surviving Veterans are members of what we call the all-volunteer force. For those unfamiliar with the military, when we say we are an all-volunteer force, we don’t mean that Soldiers are not paid for their work. We mean that Soldiers choose to serve.

In the Army, you earn a paycheck and countless other valuable financial and educational benefits. Yet more than that, the Army sets the conditions for being part of a close knit community held together by life-long bonds with fellow Soldiers and Veterans. They have a career path that has no limits.

You can Be All You Can Be in the Army, and the strength of our force is reflected in the quality and professionalism of our people. If you are a Veteran who served your country, I want to personally say thank you for your commitment to keeping our country safe and for being part of the best Army in the world.

In the Army, we consider our greatest asset to be our people. Our all-volunteer Army is a credit to Americans of all races, genders and creeds. Our common commitment to defense and love of country binds us together and unifies us. That goes to the heart of what it means to be an American.

As a nation, we must ensure that the service and sacrifice of our Veterans is never overlooked or forgotten. The Army believes that every Soldier is a “Soldier for Life” and is committed to removing barriers to their success both in and out of the Army. In the United States, we have about 18 million Veterans who have served – about 7 percent of the adult population. Their service spans World War II to our latest conflicts in the Middle East.

On Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women from all walks of life who have stepped forward to defend our nation throughout our history. The U.S. now has the largest population of young Veterans since the Vietnam War. We owe it to these men and women to make sure they transition from active-duty careers with the skills and experience to find meaningful employment. Regardless of the military branch in which our Veterans have served – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or Space Force – this day belongs to them.

Generations of patriots for the last two hundred-and-forty-nine years have dedicated themselves to the defense of our country to make us stronger and more resilient as a nation. Soldiers live by the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. They do not leave behind these values and skills when they transition to civilian life, maintaining a life-long identification with the Army. Soldiers are not “former” Soldiers, they are “Soldiers for Life” and uniquely qualified to advocate for the Army. By telling their personal Army story, they help connect the public with the Army.

The Army’s Soldier for Life program works in communities across the country to create opportunities for our Soldiers, Veterans and families, and encourages Veterans to remain connected to the Army. Right now, all around the country, our Soldiers for Life and Veterans from other services are teachers, doctors, engineers, social workers, community leaders, first responders and elected officials. They continue to serve our communities by making positive contributions, building stronger futures and inspiring future generations. Our nation’s Veterans throughout our history have kept us free, returned home and continued to serve our nation in a multitude of ways.

Today, we say thank you to all of them.

Dn. Mario A. Guerra is the two-time former mayor of Downey and currently serves as the Civilian Aide To The Secretary Of The Army. He can be reached at www.marioaguerra.com