11/11/2025
United in Service, United in Gratitude: Honoring Oregon’s Veterans” – Veterans Day Message From ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels
Across Oregon and our nation this week, we gather as communities in gratitude for the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. When they raised their right hand and swore that solemn oath, they pledged to protect something far greater than themselves: the rights and freedoms of every American. Veterans Day is our solemn duty to honor that enduring commitment and the generations who have carried it forward in defense of democracy and peace.
Those of us who have served know that the decision to wear our nation’s uniform is not one made lightly. It begins with an oath, a promise to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Since the founding of our Republic, generations of Americans have taken that same oath, pledging loyalty not to an individual or a crown, but to an enduring ideal — that all people are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence next year, we are reminded that the American experiment was secured not only by words on parchment, but by those willing to stand in their defense. From the citizen-soldiers of the Revolutionary War to the service members of today’s all-volunteer force, each generation has answered the call to safeguard those freedoms.
Notably, this year also marks 250 years of continuous service by three of our nation’s oldest military branches — the United States Army, the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. All three of which continue to embody the courage, discipline, and devotion that define our nation’s armed forces.
Oregon is home to more than a quarter of a million veterans, each with a story that deserves to be heard and remembered. Some of us served in the heat of battle; others supported missions from ships, bases, and hospitals around the world. Together, we represent every era, from those who fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to those who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and countless operations in between. No matter the place or period, we all answered the same call to serve our nation and defend its ideals.
Every veteran reflects the strength and diversity of the nation we serve. We come from every walk of life, every community, and every corner of America and the world: rural and urban, coastal and inland, from every background, faith, and family story. Together, we embody the very fabric of this nation as a living testament to its promise that out of many, we are one. In our armed forces, Americans stand shoulder to shoulder not as strangers, but as equals, united by a shared oath and a shared belief in the enduring ideals of liberty and justice for all.
We defend the right to speak freely and to worship as we choose, to live without fear of tyranny or oppression, and to pursue our dreams in peace. We defend the rule of law, the equality of all people, and the democratic promise that our government exists to serve its citizens. On this day and every day, we honor the men and women who have sworn to defend those freedoms of a democracy and who have shouldered the responsibility of ensuring that our nation remains free, just, and strong.
When I meet with fellow veterans across our state, I am struck by the same thread of quiet resilience that runs through every story. We don’t think of ourselves as heroes. We think of ourselves as people who did our duty, who stood by our brothers and sisters, and who came home ready to continue serving in new ways as parents, teachers, public servants, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. That ongoing spirit of service is what keeps our communities strong and our democracy vibrant.
Veterans Day traces its origins to November 11, 1918, when the guns of the First World War finally fell silent. That moment marked more than the end of a conflict — it marked the beginning of a national commitment to peace, understanding, and unity. Each generation since has faced its own challenges, and each has produced men and women willing to step forward to defend the freedoms we hold dear. Those of us who have worn the uniform know that freedom is not guaranteed. It must be protected, nurtured, and renewed through each act of courage and compassion.
When we return home from service, our mission changes, but it does not end. We carry with us the lessons of the fragile ideals we served to defend through discipline, teamwork, and a strong sense of integrity. We carry the memories of those who did not come home and the responsibility to honor them through our actions in this life.
At the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, we are committed to ensuring that every veteran, no matter their era of service, background, or life experience, has information and access to the benefits and services our nation and state have offered in gratitude for their service. That commitment extends not only to veterans, but to the families who have served alongside us. Spouses, children, and caregivers share the burdens of military life — the deployments, the moves, the uncertainty. They too deserve our nations gratitude and support.
True appreciation for veterans goes beyond parades and ceremonies, though those are important and joyful. It means ensuring that every veteran has access to quality health care, education, housing, and meaningful employment. It means reaching out to those struggling with the invisible wounds of service and reminding them that they are not alone. And it means continuing to strengthen the systems of care and connection that honor our shared promise: to take care of one another, just as we did in uniform.
And so, as part of your Veterans Day observance this year, I ask every Oregonian to take a moment to reflect. Think about the freedoms you enjoy and the people who have ensured those rights over our nation’s history. Remember those who never came home, and those who continue to serve around the world today. Reach out to a veteran in your life, not only to thank them, but to listen and to hear their story, to understand their journey, and to stand beside them in unity and gratitude.
We may have served in different places and at different times, but we are all part of the same legacy. Our shared service, our shared sacrifice, and our shared hope for a better future unite us as one people. Let us continue to build on that unity and to care for one another, to strengthen our communities, and to ensure that the freedoms we defended endure for generations to come.
May we always be a nation worthy of our veterans, and may we honor the truth that our strength as a nation comes from the unity and service of those who stand for something greater than themselves. God bless our veterans, their families, and the United States of America.
