Dear Active Duty Personnel and Fellow Veterans

Dear Active Duty Personnel and Fellow Veterans,

I am writing this letter on behalf of all at Capitol Technology University to thank those in uniform serving today, and also to those who have served in the past. We honor you and your dedication on this Veterans Day.

To those that never had the opportunity, please keep in mind that Veterans contribute to American society in many ways beyond their time in active duty. While the men and women in uniform protect the values and liberties our nation was built upon, these selfless acts do not stop when the uniform comes off and their time in active duty has ended. Veterans continue their service to our nation by strengthening our communities through the lessons they have learned and the experiences they have gained; veterans become our nation’s leaders. Look at the bumper sticker on the car that has stopped to let you cross the road safely, and chances are they served this nation.

I served twenty years in the United States Navy in the field of aviation. As an aircrewmen, I flew missions in support of both peacetime and wartime exercises. I flew countless hours over the Atlantic Ocean searching for foreign submarines and attempting to communicate with friendly ones. I deployed to Antarctica in support of the National Science Foundation and the South Pole while transporting scientists to areas of the continent that have never been previously explored. It was during my last years in the Navy where I flew 28 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM that I personally witnessed death and destruction. “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it…it flies with the last breath of each service member who died protecting it” (author unknown).

While only one day of the year is dedicated solely to honoring our veterans, we must always remember that we currently have brothers and sisters overseas fighting to defend our country and protecting our freedoms. They protect not only us, but protect other nations without discrimination to promote peace and ensure the world is a safer place.

My appreciation for you is deep and my admiration for you is even deeper. Thank you so much for your service. Happy Veterans Day.

 

Steve McCaskey

VP for Academic Affairs

sjmccaskey@captechu.edu