Veterans Day Speech

What is a Veteran?

A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released
under conditions other than dishonorable.

There are many different types of Veterans:

War Veteran - Any active duty or reserve military member who has been in the area of conflict in
another country or surrounding waters in support activity against a national enemy.

Combat Veteran - Active duty or reserve military members who experience any level of combat for any
duration resulting from offensive, defensive or friendly fire military action involving an enemy in any
foreign theater.

Retired Veteran - Retired veterans serve a minimum of twenty years of active duty or reserve duty.

Disable Veteran - Any former active duty or reserve military member who was injured through combat
action or peacetime accident while serving on duty and is permanently injured.

A quote that has always been strong with the military community is this:

"A veteran whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve is someone who, at one point in his or
her life wrote a blank check to their government for an amount of “up to and including his or her life".

Why do we recognize Veterans Day?

Is it to honor those that serve?

Is it to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives?

We recognize Veterans Day on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, the day the guns fell
silent in Europe following the resolution that ended World War I. For some, it’s a day off from school or
work, but for the majority of Americans, it means so much more.

Veterans Day is the chance to thank and honor those who have selflessly served their country.
Support for veterans has been mixed through our nation’s history.

A great quote from President Ronald Reagan:

“Veterans Day gives all Americans a special opportunity to pay tribute to all those men and
women who throughout our history, have left their homes and loved ones to serve their
country. Their willingness to give freely and unselfishly of themselves, even their lives, in
defense of our democratic principles has given our great country the security we enjoy today.
From Valley Forge to Vietnam, through war and peace, valiant patriotic Americans have
answered the call, serving with honor and fidelity.”
Why did I join the military?

I was living in Connecticut my Senior Year of high school when 9/11 happened.

For those of you don’t know that was the tragic day when a terrible terrorist attack happened
on America.

I remember watching the second plane fly into the Twin Towers while in class. A sense of
service came over me when this tragedy happened. To this point in my life, I had given little thought
about joining the military, because I was not a for sure path that I wanted to take. After doing some
traveling abroad, I moved from CT to AZ. During my travels I thought a lot about what happened on
9/11. I had a sense of duty come over me that I needed to serve my country. But what branch would I
go into so that I could go to college and serve at the same time. Well at the time the Army National
Guard was the best choice, so on October of 2002, shipped off to boot camp in Ft. Leonard Wood,
Missouri.

Joining the Army National Guard was one of the best things that happened to me in my life.
Being part of the US Military gives you a sense of pride that I have not got anywhere else. Knowing that
you are supporting the defense of the USA and all of the great freedoms we enjoy is an amazing feeling.

My Military Career

I joined the Arizona Army National Guard in October of 2002. After completing Basic Combat Training
and Advanced Individual Training, I came home as a 12N, Heavy Construction Equipment Operator.

After 2 months into my first semester of college at Arizona State University, I was called to deploy (go to
combat) in Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My company was deployed to the country of
Iraq for 12 months.

Seven years later, marrying Danielle Smith and having two awesome kids CJ (Curtis Jr.) and Sophia, I was
called to deploy (go to combat) in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. My company
was deployed for 9 months.

I have been in the military for 15 years. I am currently the acting platoon sergeant for 2 nd Platoon of the
258th Engineer Company out of Florence, AZ.

I am proud to serve the greatest country in the world and protect everything that make us Americans. It
is an honor to be part of the greatest military force.

Next time you see a Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airmen, tell them thank you for your service.