Dear America,

Good to see you all again. Today is Veterans Day in our nation. Since our last formal day of recognition, organizations like ours have been helping members of our community deal with the many, unique challenges for veterans that are associated with the transition to life after service to our country.

While our distractions have been many this year, I want to remind you about one constant that has remained: recognizing the sacrifices made by those who served. Staying in the fold of maintaining the social contract between our nation and its all-volunteer armed forces is an enduring requirement for all, and it is in the best interest of both our active duty soldiers, veterans and ultimately to our nation that this bond remains strong.

With the rates of suicidality at unthinkable levels (the VA’s latest estimates show promise, albeit slight) amongst the very small population of citizens that chose to serve, it may seem to many that support and respect for military service will remain a given. After all, the single-greatest mark of public trust and confidence the nation expressed toward its principal public institution, our armed forces, has outpaced all other institutions for years. However, the net effect of our many ongoing distractions can make today – Veterans Day – seem like just another day, and I worry that if that sentiment continues to gain more ground, what does that mean for state of our ongoing national security and the well being of those that provide it?

Here is the good news. To help reverse this course we don’t need to over-correct; we just need a little more by everyone. What I’m suggesting is simple: Take some time to pause today and reflect on the goodness this country still presents– and understand that the goodness we enjoy every day is due in large part to a small group of our citizens who volunteered to defend it – our veterans, and their families. Today, try not to think about the military as an entity, think about it for what it really is, a relatively small collection of our citizens, our neighbors, our friends and family members, who have chosen to serve us all. Maybe fly our flag today. Or, talk to your kids about the meaning of Veterans Day. And if you’re so inclined, get involved with supporting a group like us here at The Headstrong Project, which dedicates itself to the well-being of each individual veteran that comes to us, and who now need our assistance to get back to being their best self.

It doesn’t take a lot, just a little more by every American. I think we have it in us, but let’s be sure to treat the day as not just any day, it is Veterans Day after all and as a veteran, I can assure you that it matters to the individual veteran, and collectively to the future of nation.