Today, on Veterans Day, we honor the brave Americans who have served our country. This annual commemoration, held on November 11th, recognizes the sacrifices made by our military personnel. As President John F. Kennedy noted with this week's quote, let's honor our veterans not just with words of thanks, but by living up to the ideals they fought to protect.
As World War II was drawing to a close, my parents met in the small southern German town of Geislingen. My father, of course, arrived there serving in the U.S. Army. But my mother had a much different journey. Born in Estonia, she fled to Germany as a young woman to escape the rapidly advancing Soviet Army.
By chance, she met my father. With his help, and her ability to speak several languages, she secured employment with the Military Government as an interpreter working with displaced persons. It was there that they fell in love and married. The rest, as they say, is history!
My mother's journey as a refugee, and her subsequent service working with the U.S. Military, is a testament to the shared sacrifices and contributions of both veterans and their families. On this Veterans Day, I'm honored to recognize them all.
