Veterans Day Message

Each Veterans Day, we pause to honor the men and women who answered our nation's call to serve. We recognize their courage, their sacrifices, and their willingness to place the needs of others above their own. But Veterans Day should be more than a reflection on service rendered. It should be a reminder that the commitment to serve does not end when the uniform comes off. The mission may change, but the purpose endures.

Engraved on the Georgia Department of Veterans Service coin is a Latin phrase that captures this enduring commitment: Incepto Ne Desistam - "May I not shrink from my purpose." These are not simply words of inspiration. They are a call to action. They demand a conscious decision to persevere, to contribute, and to remain committed to something greater than ourselves, even when the path forward is uncertain.

When we raised our right hands and took the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, we made a solemn commitment. Although our military obligations eventually come to an end, the values behind that oath do not expire. Duty, honor, integrity, and service become part of who we are. They are not surrendered with our military identification cards or left behind with our uniforms. They remain a compass that guides how we live, lead, and serve long after our military careers have ended.

The psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl drew upon the words of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." That simple truth speaks profoundly to the veteran experience. Purpose gives us the strength to endure hardship, the resilience to navigate change, and the determination to keep moving forward. It reminds us that our worth is not measured by the rank we achieved, the positions we held, or the years we served, but by the lives we continue to touch.

For some veterans, that renewed purpose is found in a second career, raising a family, mentoring the next generation, or serving their communities. For others, it is found in reaching out to a fellow veteran who is struggling, offering encouragement during a difficult transition, or simply ensuring that someone knows they have not been forgotten. Sometimes the most consequential act of service is not performed on a battlefield, but in the quiet moment when one veteran chooses to stand beside another.

To our veterans, thank you for answering our nation's call and for the countless ways you continue to strengthen our communities. To our Veteran Service Organizations, thank you for preserving the spirit of service, standing beside your fellow veterans, and ensuring that the bonds forged through shared sacrifice remain strong. And to our military families, whose sacrifices too often go unrecognized, thank you for your strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment.

This Veterans Day, let us honor more than the service of yesterday. Let us recommit ourselves to the responsibility of today and the possibilities of tomorrow. Let us seek out those who need encouragement, extend a hand to those who have lost their way, and remind every veteran that they still have something valuable to give. Our service shaped who we became. Our purpose determines what we do next.

With gratitude and respect,
Patricia Ross, Ed.D., Colonel USAF-Retired
Commissioner