Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
To America’s Veterans on Veterans Day 1999
Today, on the last Veterans Day of the 20th Century,
America pauses to salute the brave men and women who have
served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Veterans
Day was designated at the end of the First World War as an
opportunity to offer “thanksgiving and prayer” with the
goal of perpetuating “peace through good will and mutual
understanding between nations.” Unfortunately, the sounds
of battle have echoed again and again in this century.
Some people watch history unfold, but America’s Veterans
have made history. Veterans defended the Republic against
all enemies, foreign and domestic, and held firm the fabric
of the Nation when times were tough, desperate, and deadly.
Our Veterans faced the evils of war and answered the call
to secure our freedom, maintain our national interests, and
defend our sacred liberties.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff and I join every American in
paying tribute to you, our Veterans, for all that you have
done for our country. Your selfless service to the Nation
made a difference for America and the world. Your
dedication to duty preserved our precious legacy of freedom
and democratic government. You were instrumental in making
the United States the preemi- nent force in the world
today. May God bless you, and may God bless America.
Henry H. Shelton
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
