Sergeant Govani E. Gonzalez-Ramos of the Nebraska Army National Guard spoke to students during the Veterans Day assembly in the Al Bahe Gym on Nov. 11. He reflected on the meaning of service, the experiences of veterans across generations, and the importance of understanding their stories. The full transcript of his remarks is included below.

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished staff and faculty, veterans, and to all of you, the future leaders of our nation, on behalf of the Nebraska Army National Guard, I would like to personally thank you for being here as we gather to recognize and show gratitude to our nation’s Veterans. I’d like to start by emphasizing that I read a couple of the biographies of previous speakers you have had here for Veterans Day, and I can say without a doubt, 1 am extremely under-qualified to be up here speaking to you today, but l am truly humbled and grateful for your generosity and consideration.

As I personally reflect on Veteran’s Day, I think back to the time when I was your age, and the Veteran’s Day speeches and assemblies I would sit through when I was in your shoes. I remember not fully understanding the meaning of Veteran’s Day or how it even differed from Memorial Day. I remember seeing past generations of veterans, men and women, at my school and across town, dressed in their military uniforms and wearing them with pride and honor. I remember the gut feeling that would set in my stomach, thinking that the veterans / was shaking hands with and thanking for their service, were part of a small percentage of Americans who choose to sacrifice everything for our collective way of life in the United States. However at the time, I didn’t understand that feeling. My adolescent brain couldn’t possibly grasp the idea that someone would deliberately choose to endure the weight and cost that is the preservation of our American way of life.

For those like me at your age, Veteran’s Day differs from Memorial Day in that it is the day our country honors those who have and are currently serving in every branch

of the United States armed forces. As we go about honoring those who have and are currently serving, it is essential to acknowledge that veterans come from all walks of life. Every veteran represents a different generation, culture, and experience. Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and post 9/11 conflicts are living testaments to the resiliency, valor, and ultimate cost for American freedom.

These veterans reside within our communities, painting our roadways, running our businesses, and delivering our mail. They silently continue to serve our communities, and sadly too often privately suffer from the effects of the wars and battles they endured while in uniform. These men and women from every branch of the United States’ military are the reason we have the freedoms and liberties we enjoy so fruitfully today.

Although I can only speak to the experiences I have in THIS uniform, Veteran’s Day is a day to memorialize every sacrifice made across all branches of the military, past and present. Throughout my brief time in the military, I have been blessed to be able to work alongside and learn from extraordinary men and women across multiple branches of the armed forces: creating bonds of brotherhood that will last a lifetime. If I could give you all (and my younger self) some piece of advice as it relates to Veteran’s Day; Go out and talk to those members in your community who have served. Go beyond the simple handshake and “thank you for your service”. Take the time to understand why they chose to serve our great country. Understand their reason for serving and honor their stories by living a life worthy of their sacrifices. In an already seemingly divisive world, aim to build bridges between every generation of Americans, because the wisdom they carry will some day serve as a foundation of knowledge for you, our future leaders.

And for those of you like me who grew up on “consejos” instead of words of advice, sigamos unidos en estos tiempos difíciles. No olvidemos los sacrificios de los veteranos que tienen historias similares a las nuestras. Muchos de estos veteranos eligen servir a Estados Unidos por distintas razones. Algunos lo hacen para permitir la ciudadanía legal a sus familiares, otros lo hacen como muestra de gratitud y aprecio por las oportunidades que este país les brindó. Cada uno de estos veteranos traen honra a sus familias, y las historias de generaciones pasadas que buscaban una vida mejor en los Estados Unidos. La historia de los veteranos hispanos que han servido en el ejército de los Estados Unidos está entrelazada a los logros militares de este país, ya que han participado en todos los conflictos importantes en los que Estados Unidos ha estado involucrado. Hoy es el día para mostrar nuestro agradecimiento a todos los veteranos que han servido este gran país. Vivamos vidas dignas de esos sacrificios realizados por las generaciones que nos precedieron.

Now, as I get older, I still find myself getting that innate feeling of respect and gratitude whenever I see a veteran in their military attire. Because of this, I cannot help but feel the immense pressure I self-impose to uphold every value this uniform, and every military uniform, represents. That innate gut feeling I was speaking of earlier is what Veteran’s Day means to me. Gratitude and respect for those who put their lives on the line for this nation; regardless of skin color, language, religion and so on and so forth. The few who answer the call of selfless service for the sustainment of the American way of life. I’d like to end by thanking every veteran in this room that has served and is currently serving. Your sacrifices for this country will continue to be the reason why our country serves as a beacon of hope across the world. May God bless our veterans and God bless the United States of America.