John Boehner, November 11, 2002

"Not every veteran has known the full fury of battle. But most count their time in uniform among the defining experiences of their lives. The military drew out the best that was in them, instilling the highest standards of diligence, discipline, and loyalty. That is a bond joining every veteran from every branch of the service. Whether drafted or enlisted, commissioned or non-commissioned, each took an oath, lived by a code, and stood ready to fight and die for their country."

Vice President Dick Cheney gave these remarks last year during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, one of the most hallowed grounds for veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The Vice President summed-up so very well the feelings that millions of Americans – elected officials and private citizens alike – have for the men and women who have served their nation in uniform throughout history.

As we approach Veterans Day 2002, our nation again is poised to pay special tribute to the veterans of our armed forces. From the beaches of Normandy and the mountains of Korea to the jungles of Vietnam and the deserts of the Persian Gulf, the veterans of America’s armed forces have shown the world this nation is not merely the home of freedom, it is the defender of freedom throughout the world. Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the precious gift of freedom we enjoy – and the men and women who have defended it throughout our history. These military veterans provide a unique perspective on the values that comprise the fabric of our nation – the values that continue to be the foundation of our military to this day.

I’d like to highlight a way in which some of our nation’s former military personnel can continue service to our nation, even after they have finished their service in the Armed Forces. Recently, First Lady Laura Bush traveled to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base here in Southwest Ohio to promote the Troops to Teachers program, one of the innovative approaches to improving teacher quality included in President Bush’s No Child Left Behind education reforms. Troops to Teachers gives men and women in uniform a unique opportunity to continue service to their nation in another noble way after they leave the Armed Forces: in the classroom.

The Troops to Teachers program has been budgeted $18 million by Congress and the Bush Administration this year to offer stipends or bonuses to former members of the military who agree to seek certification and teach for at least three years. Troops to Teachers is an important part of No Child Left Behind’s effort to place a highly-qualified teacher in every public classroom. But more than that, it is a program that shines the spotlight on those who move from one incredibly noble profession: military service – to another: teaching. For those interested in learning more about this program, call a special toll-free Troops to Teachers number at 1-800-452-6616.

As we prepare to mark Veterans Day on November 11th, let us take time to thank our nation’s military veterans and remember the sacrifices they have made to make America the greatest land on Earth. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can be repaid only by continuing to preserve the freedom they have protected for generations.

Congressman John Boehner represents the 8th Congressional District of Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives.