My Commitment to Remembering Our Veterans
As a Veteran and the 6th Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs at the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), I am deeply honored to serve America’s Veterans and their families. NCA is a world-class organization with a long-standing commitment to caring for Veterans and their families in perpetuity at our 135 VA national cemeteries. Every day we have the honor and privilege to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise, “to care for him who shall have borne the battle…”
During my 27-years in uniform, I served with great men and women—dedicated patriots all. I think about them often. Some of them left this earth far too soon. I keep some of their pictures on my desk as a reminder of the bond we will always share and I continue to live and serve for them.
It has been said that we all die two deaths. The first, a physical one, and the second, the last time someone speaks our name. As Under Secretary, I am dedicated to ensuring that the names of our Veterans laid to rest in our VA national cemeteries, and those Veterans buried in state and tribal Veterans cemeteries around the country, are never forgotten for their service to our Nation. As long as we remember and continue to speak their names and share their stories, they are never truly gone. This is my commitment to the families and friends of loved ones now not with us.
Our Veterans represent the very best of our American citizenry. What is left to us, the living, is to honor them, their service, and their sacrifice. To learn more about how NCA memorializes Veterans, visit:
|
When thinking of our duty and commitment to remember our Veterans, I am reminded of the words of the great Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, “Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.” Making use of the time we have should, rightfully, be in service to the people and Veterans of this great Nation.
Randy Reeves
Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs
Click to view Randy Reeves' biography.
|
