Veterans Day 2012 Message from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Photo: An American flag ripples in the breeze.

           Today, America honors the men and women whose profound acts of citizenship — service in the armed forces of the United States of America — have safeguarded our country for 237 years and guaranteed our rights as Americans to choose our leaders.

            Twenty-two million living Americans today have distinguished themselves by their service in uniform.  Their devotion and sacrifice have been the bedrock of our sovereignty as a Nation, our values as a people, our security as a democracy, and our offer of hope to those in other lands, who dream our dreams of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

            For the past 11 years, the men and women of our armed forces have stood watch in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe, Korea, and more than 150 other countries around the globe.  More than 1.5 million Veterans have served in the combat theaters of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa.  Since 9/11, nearly 3 million Veterans have departed the military, having fulfilled their duty to the Nation, and become eligible for the benefits and services we offer here at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  

            We are often reminded that, today, less than 1 percent of Americans wear the uniforms of our Nation.  The sum of their service to the country, however, is beyond measure.  Our rights and privileges as American citizens have been their gifts to each of us.  We must not take those gifts for granted.  On behalf of the American people, each of us here at VA has the responsibility of caring for these giants among us.  Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence — I CARE — are our watchwords.

            VA is renewing our country’s historic covenant with its Veterans.  By leveraging 21^st century technology and empowered by a dedicated workforce, over one-third of whom are Veterans themselves, VA is boldly transforming itself in healthcare and benefits delivery, and in memorial affairs, to better serve all Veterans.

            Our goals remain unchanged:  increase access to VA benefits and services; eliminated the backlog in compensation claims in 2015; and end Veteran's homelessness, as well, in 2015.  In this Department, every day is Veterans Day.  We celebrate their contributions, take pride in their achievements, and as their national advocates, care, nurture, and protect them as well as the protected all of us. 

            I extend my thanks and admiration to our Nation’s Veterans on this, their special day of recognition, and I express my deep appreciation to my colleagues at VA for their dedication, their loyalty, and their partnership in this noble mission.

Eric K. Shinseki

Secretary of Veterans Affairs   

Additionally: the WBRC will be closed for business on Monday November 12th, 2012 in observance of Veterans Day. 

The WBRC RN station may be reached by calling:
(650) 493-5000
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24623
-or-
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24823

You may also leave a message at the WBRC Direct Line at:
(650) 614-9952

Please have a happy and safe Veterans Day.