All of our freedoms, our Constitution and Bill of Rights, our shores, our homes, our communities, are free from foreign occupation thanks to all who have served our country with honor in the armed forces. A sincere and heartfelt thank you.

On this day, please take time to reflect on how we not not under British, German, or Japanese control. Thank you to our veterans.

And days like this when I reflect on our free country, I am concerned that many do not understand the word sovereignty. According to Merriam Webster, it means a country’s independent authority and the right to govern itself or freedom from external control.

To me U.S. sovereignty means our borders are secure, our citizens are the first priority, our freedom, liberty, and pursuit of happiness are the focus of the government we elect. That is what veterans served to protect and each and every chance we get, we must remind those that serve us in government of that sovereignty and sacrifice.

We must also remember that many service members need our help and we owe it to them: Proper medical care at a minimum, respect in our community, and our effort at their integration into civilian society.

Take a moment today to thank a veteran.