Veterans Day is upon us. This is a day to honor, and celebrate, those who served. Veterans are former members of the Army (Soldiers), Navy (Sailors), Marine Corps (Marines), Air Force (Airmen), and Space Force (Guardians).

Veterans separated themselves from this 330-million citizen formation we know as the United States of America by serving in the United States Armed Forces. These men and women gave up the comfort and familiar surroundings of home, and left family and friends to complete Basic Combat Training at places like Lackland, Knox, Benning, Great Lakes, and Parris Island.

These men and women were forged into something bigger than themselves during weeks of training that would transition American civilians into Soldiers – building physical and mental strength, instilling discipline and core values, developing combat skills, and promoting teamwork and unit cohesion.

Once trained, these service members went where our Nation called them to go and fulfilled missions our Nation asked them to accomplish. No two journeys in military service are the same. However, what each Veteran has in common is that each gave up some of their own personal freedoms when making a decision to serve – including privacy, autonomy, political activity, location of residence, personal safety, relationships, clothing and personal appearance. They demonstrated values like loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage in training and during combat operations. It’s my experience that our Nation has reason to be proud of the way that our military has performed – even in austere environments, facing enemies with values much different than our own, making due with constrained resources, and operating with sometimes challenging rules of engagement.

Veterans separated from active service and returned to life as civilians. It is at this time that they are eligible for membership in Veteran Service Organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, and Marine Corps League. These organizations add value to the lives of both the Veteran and the communities where they are present. They provide patriotic and enriching ceremonies in our communities and help Veterans connect with resources and benefits. They need Veterans to join them!

We as a Nation invest heartily to ensure that our Nation’s Veterans receive the support and care they earned and deserve through service. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget for 2026 is $440-billion. This is a significant investment – and it reflects the respect that our Nation has in those who served. Resources include compensation, healthcare, counseling, education, and employment support.

Here in Iowa the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and County Veteran Service Officers support Iowa Veterans. Our mission is to support Iowa Veterans, their caregivers, and survivors. Or, as President Lincoln so aptly stated during his second inaugural address, the responsibility of our Nation is to “care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” We remain committed to that mission. I encourage Veterans and their advocates who have challenges accessing VA systems to contact us at idva@iowa.org. My cell phone number is (641) 750-9399 and I respond to inquiries daily.

For more than 52 years our Nation has depended on volunteers to defend our Nation, our interests, and our allies through both deterrence and by winning our Nation’s wars. We depend on each generation to do their part, and I am heartened to see young people from Iowa continuing to do exactly that.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It has to be fought for and defended by each generation.” — Ronald Reagan.

It’s an honor to serve.

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Todd Jacobus is the commandant

of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs.