Veterans on Veterans Day: What it Means to Serve
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave. O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! – Francis Scott Key
In 1776, we issued the Declaration of Independence. In 1783, Great Britain formally acknowledged the United States’ freedom. For more than 200 years, the brave men and women of our country have put their lives on the line in the name of this land of the free and home of the brave.
November marks the commemoration of Veterans Day, a holiday that is close to our hearts here at PGI. As a veteran owned and operated company, many of us have served our country, both domestically and abroad. From deployments to the Middle East, work in South America, missions in Asia and more, our coworkers have accepted every challenge presented to them when it comes to protecting our country, our families, our friends and our freedom.
This month, we asked several of our team members what being a veteran means to them. Here are just a few of their thoughts.
Honor. Sacrifice. Pride. Character.
When I was in the U.S. Army, selfless service was an ethos my leaders continually emphasized. When it was my turn to lead, I too emphasized selfless service. I served for twenty years, and was proud to do so. Being a veteran has left me with a sense of having invested in our country. – Al Buford, PGI President
As I reflect on what being a veteran means to me, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and pride. I am grateful for the men and women that came before me, those that came after, and those that are still serving today. This gratitude extends not only to fellow veterans, but also to the friends and family who sacrificed, endured, and patiently waited while their loved one served. I am also proud of the fact that I am one of so many that answered our country’s call and put on the uniform of the greatest nation on earth. – Greg Craddock, PGI CEO
I come from a family that has served our country proudly in each war, and being a Veteran was the “standard,” not a choice. I was taught pride in my country and our Nation’s flag. Being a Veteran is an investment into personal character. It helped to develop who I am and what I wanted to strive for in the military and retirement. Being a Veteran taught me the value of service. As a recruiter, I look to help identify knowledge and share experiences with everyone who strives for a career change after serving in our Nation’s great military. There is no better title than that of a Veteran. It means the world to me and has helped me to share my warrior ethos in the civilian workforce. – Eddy Peraza, PGI Staffing and Deployment Manager
Being a veteran is the true embodiment of sacrifice. It is a sacrifice of time with your family, missed birthdays with your children, spending holidays in remote and austere locations, possibly being shunned in the very communities you live, and suffering the mental and physical pains that come with that sacrifice, but still being willing to do it all over again. – Jesse Sanders, PGI VP of Operations
It is an honor to serve. Veterans serve in honor of our country, those who served with us and before us, those who didn’t come home, and those haunted by the memories of battle. The word “veteran” is the past tense of having served your country. The title comes only after a proactive commitment to enduring courage. Before you become a veteran, you first have to step up to the plate, knowing you may fight and die in the service of your country. – Rob Whitfield, PGI COO