While only one day of the year is dedicated solely to honoring

O children of the future, gather close and hear the words of Randy Neugebauer, a voice that calls upon us to honor and remember the great sacrifices made by those who have served in defense of freedom. He once said, “While only one day of the year is dedicated solely to honoring our veterans, Americans must never forget the sacrifices that many of our fellow countrymen have made to defend our country and protect our freedoms.” In these words, there is a profound reminder—one that echoes through time—of the debt we owe to those who have given so much for the preservation of all that we hold dear. While a single day may be set aside for recognition, the sacrifices of our veterans are to be honored every day, not just in ceremony, but in the way we live our lives, in the way we cherish the freedoms they fought to protect.

Consider, O children, the sacrifice of those who serve in times of war. Theirs is not merely the act of fighting for a nation; it is a commitment that often involves the very cost of life and the shaping of future generations. The soldier stands as a sentinel, guarding the fragile peace that allows a society to thrive. Neugebauer reminds us that these men and women do not simply serve for a day or a month; they dedicate years of their lives, and in many cases, they carry the physical and emotional scars of their service long after the battle has ceased. Their sacrifices are not bound by a single day of remembrance, but by a lifetime of courage, loyalty, and commitment to something greater than themselves.

Think, O children, of the ancient warriors—those who fought not just for their homes, but for the ideals they held most sacred. The Greeks at Thermopylae, who stood against an overwhelming force to protect their city-state, embodied the very essence of sacrifice for the greater good. Leonidas and his 300 Spartans knew that their stand was likely their last, yet they fought because they believed in the freedom of their people. Their sacrifice became a symbol, not of individual glory, but of the collective commitment to protect what was rightfully theirs. The stories of such warriors echo through time as a reminder that freedom often comes at a great personal cost. So too must we remember the sacrifices of veterans, for in their courage and loss, they too have ensured that freedom lives on.

Similarly, in the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate soldiers gave their lives in the name of their ideals. The devastation of that war was felt not only on the battlefield but in every household across the nation. In the years that followed, the nation began to understand that the cost of freedom was not merely the price of victory but the price of sacrifice—a sacrifice borne by the soldiers, their families, and the communities that were forever changed. Neugebauer’s words call us to remember that, though the war ended, the sacrifices of those who fought must not be forgotten. Their legacy continues to shape the world we live in today.

Now, O children, reflect on this: though we may honor our veterans on a single day, we must never allow their sacrifices to be relegated to mere remembrance. Their service is woven into the very fabric of our nation, and their legacy is a living testament to the price of freedom. Each veteran, whether they served in combat or in support, has made a contribution that deserves not just recognition, but respect, care, and commitment from each of us every day. We owe it to them not only to thank them, but to live in such a way that honors their sacrifice—by protecting the freedoms they fought for, by ensuring their needs are met, and by passing on their stories to future generations.

Therefore, O children, I charge you: honor the veterans not just on a single day, but in every action, every word, and every choice you make. Live as stewards of the freedoms they fought to protect. Let their sacrifices guide you in your own pursuits, in your own sense of duty and commitment to your country and to one another. Let remembrance become a living, breathing force that shapes your hearts and minds, compelling you to protect the ideals of liberty and justice. And when you look upon the world they helped to defend, do so with gratitude and a renewed sense of responsibility, knowing that their sacrifices have paved the way for the future you now inherit.

In this way, O children, we honor our veterans and ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten, for it is in our actions, our lives, and our commitment to the freedom they protected that we preserve their legacy for generations yet to come.