Honoring Our Heroes on Veterans Day

This year as we celebrate Veterans Day, I ask everyone to think about the many blessings and freedoms we have as citizens of the greatest nation on this planet, and also the price that has been paid to secure and defend these rights and liberties. It is a price that has been paid by the proud American citizens who made the selfless decision to serve as members of our Armed Forces. These heroes chose a life of service, and took a path that few have the bravery or the commitment to undertake.

While some have made the ultimate sacrifice and live on now only in our hearts and memories, many more have returned home to continue their service to this nation in one way or another. Even though they no longer wear their uniforms, their love of country and their duty to this nation is in no way lessened. And even though they no longer serve in the line of fire, their patriotism and their heroism is in no way diminished.

Never was that more apparent than a few weeks ago when one of our nation’s heroes put aside concerns for his own safety and took action to save the lives of the innocent. As chaos broke out at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, it was a 30-year-old former Army infantryman who displayed his heroism by trying to stop the shooter whose callous actions would take the lives of nine innocents. This hero, Chris Mintz, immediately ran into the school library to pull the fire alarm so that students would be warned to get out, and then ran back toward the building where the shooter was located to barricade a classroom door. It was then that Chris was shot three times through the door, and then another two times after the gunman moved past him as he was lying on the floor.

When it was all said and done, Chris Mintz had been shot in the upper back, abdomen, left hand, and upper and lower leg. Both of his legs were broken in the attack, and he will now have to undergo intensive rehabilitation to learn to walk again. But despite the immense pain and suffering he personally endured, the only concern he had the next day in the hospital was for the safety of his fellow students.

When we think about what it means to be a hero, we need look no further than Chris Mintz, who not only put the well-being of others before his own, but also took these heroic actions on his son’s birthday; a day when he could have turned away to protect himself like so many others did, but instead ran toward the danger as so few would have in order to prevent the loss of human life.

Thankfully this nation has heroes who are ready and willing to make these decisions. When danger is near and most have the instinct to flee, they charge forward. When others are concerned with their own safety, they think only of the safety of those around them. And when chaos and confusion ensues, they take quick and decisive actions that save lives.

It’s a rare thing to have heroes such as these, but our nation has been blessed with them in abundance. And as we have seen, their service to our country does not end when they return home from overseas, but instead continues on in their acts and deeds here at home.

Today, I remind you all that we should endeavor to serve our veterans as well as they have served their nation. Let’s all make the promise that we will treat our veterans with the respect they have earned. And let us vow to do that on today and on each and every day of the year. Their extraordinary accomplishments have created an extraordinary debt that we must consistently work to repay. And for those accomplishments and for their dedication, we must always be grateful.

As always, please do not hesitate to call or write me anytime with your questions or thoughts on this or any other issue. My Capitol office is 573.751.0246 and my email is jim.neely@house.mo.gov