Over the past few years it has been become a tradition for the Tidewater Chapter of the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) to visit the VA Hospital in Hampton on Veterans Day. As in previous years, the veterans, hospital staff and NNOA members thoroughly enjoyed the visit. This year we gained an even greater understanding of what it really means to be a veteran of the US armed forces.

Our chapter President, LtCol Melvin T. Ingram, USMC, shared with one veteran “…it was your sacrifice that allows me to be in the position where I am today…” LtCol Ingram’s small message bestowed a sense of pride and gratitude from the entire Tidewater chapter.

In a recent article, U.S. Representative John Carter said, “We’ve fought in many, many lands and our whole point is to do right for other people and do right for what was good for the world and for our nation.” Veterans Day is a day for the country to celebrate and honor those who fought and died for freedom and our way of life.

The words of LtCol Ingram and Rep Carter remind us to not only remember and honor service members but also to ACT. The storied Veterans in the hospital were honored; nevertheless, we could pay more tribute to their legacy by actively continuing what they began. We must do our part in preparing future generations for the challenges that will confront our nation.