November 11 marks Veterans' Day, previously designated as Armistice Day, to commemorate the end of World War I, "the war to end all wars."  Hostilities ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the armistice between our Allies and Germany went into effect.

People often confuse Veterans' Day with Memorial Day in May.  Veterans' Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who have died while in military service.

As a thirty-year veteran of the United States Navy, I have witnessed firsthand key moments in our nation's military history.  Some of these events were by choice, and others were not.  My first ship, the USS Leahy (DLG 16), visited Leningrad in 1975 and was the first U.S. warship to visit the former Soviet Union since World War II.  This port call was the first in a series of military-to-military exchanges and made the Soviet people aware of their economic depravity and lack of freedom, which ultimately led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

In those days, I recall witnessing firsthand the abuse of drugs and the racial confrontations that were widespread in all the military services.  The 1970s were a low point for the military in the aftermath of our retreat from Vietnam.  Disintegration of military readiness and unit cohesion became the norm.  During this era, military members and veterans typically did not disclose their service to civilians for fear of recrimination or spittle in one's face.

As time progressed, I was fortunate to see this trend reversed through the implementation of the all-volunteer force and the rebuilding of our military into an effective integrated and "joint" (all-service) fighting force.  While assigned to the Joint Special Operation Command (JSOC) during Operation Desert Storm, I witnessed firsthand the resurrection and triumph of the American military from its post-Vietnam malaise.

Our integrated strategy of "Shock and Awe" enable the United States to conduct precise and integrated air and sea strikes during the first Iraq war without challenge.  Our forces destroyed Iraq's ground, air, and naval forces with ease, and our adversary, the Soviet Union, which had trained and supplied Iraq in that era, was stunned by our swift victory.  Veterans were once again thanked by a grateful nation.  "Welcome home" parades became the norm instead of vicious confrontations.

Subsequently, as commanding officer of the USS Rushmore (LSD 47), we provided support to Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.  Here I witnessed our now proud and revitalized military providing humanitarian aid to those who would have starved without our assistance.

During this operation, our mission shifted to peacekeeping among the country's numerous warlords.  Unfortunately, the debacle of Black Hawk Down transpired as forces on the ground were denied support required to conduct their mission by the Clinton administration.  My former boss, Major General "Bill" Garrison, assumed sole responsibility for its failure, unlike today's leaders.

Shortly thereafter, as a member of the Navy Staff on the Pentagon, on 9/11, I lost twenty-seven of my good friends and "shipmates" when Flight 77 plowed into the office where I had worked just two weeks before.  Subsequently, while assigned to Joint Staff during our "War on Terrorism,"  I saw their loss avenged as we struck the Taliban swiftly and without hesitation and eventually brought Osama bin Laden to justice.

I suspect that my experience as a United States veteran is typical of many others who have seen our military at both its lows and its highs.  Many of us armchair warriors now wonder how our military will respond to an almost inevitable confrontation with communist China as that country vows to achieve world hegemony through both economic and military means.

Although resigned to watch our withdrawal from Afghanistan on the sidelines, I have to wonder if military leaders such as my former boss, the late Gen. Wayne Downing, who was a highly decorated U.S. Army Ranger, would have left those who had helped this nation behind on the field of battle in Afghanistan.  One will never know, but somehow, I suspect we would have witnessed a different outcome.

While we will debate how the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan were mismanaged, one thing remains clear: the bravery and sacrifice of our American troops in the face of adversity is a constant reminder of who we are as a nation.  Their selfless and unquestioned sacrifices represent the absolute best of this country.  Regardless of your thoughts on politics, or war, those who have worn this nation's uniform deserve your heartfelt appreciation and gratitude.

On Veterans' Day please thank a veteran for his service, and do not be surprised if he responds: "Thank you, you were worth it," because at the end of the day, that is what it is all about — one's selfless service to preserve your individual freedom and liberty.

Image: Capt. James R. Poplar, III, USN (ret.).

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