Remembering selfless service this Veterans Day Published Nov. 9, 2010 By Col. Stephen N. Whiting and Capt. Susan Wallberg 21st Space Wing PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- What images come to mind when you think about Veterans Day? Perhaps it's one of our Vietnam War vets who answered the nation's call during a very turbulent period in our history. Perhaps it's a World War II vet, a member of the Greatest Generation, who lived through the Great Depression and then fought back the forces of tyranny on two fronts. Or, perhaps, it's one of the millions of young vets who have served so ably since 9/11. The current generation joining the armed forces is known as the Millennial Generation. It's interesting that these young men and women are also called the Echo Boomers, since they are the children of the Baby Boomers. For these Millennials, their grandparents and great-grandparents were those of the Greatest Generation. These veterans of World War II are what often come to my mind when I think about veterans. However, our image of a veteran is changing, for in the last nine years, millions of Millennials have joined the armed services in a time of war, and voluntarily, knowing that they will likely soon be deployed to a dangerous and difficult location far from their homes. In fact, the Secretary of Defense recently pronounced, "the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns represent the first protracted large-scale conflicts, since our Revolutionary War, fought entirely by volunteers." We will never, and can never, forget the men and women that fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and our other conflicts. They served and sacrificed in such a way as to set the example for every future generation. But we're now looking at this Millennial Generation, these Echo Boomers, and seeing the same characteristics again that have made us so grateful and proud of our veterans. In the last two months, the 21st Space Wing has been deeply touched by the heroism of one of our Airmen who belong to this Millennial Generation. One of our EOD members is currently deployed to Afghanistan, and on Oct. 5, his team's vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb near Kandahar. Tragically, one Airman was killed in that attack, but another was saved through the timely, heroic, and selfless actions of our fellow 21st SW member. In a recent and moving ceremony, President Obama awarded Staff Sgt. Robert Miller, another of these Millennials and a U.S. Army Green Beret, a posthumous Medal of Honor. Leading a patrol of American and Afghan soldiers, Sgt. Miller and his unit found themselves in a valley surrounded by an insurgent force more than 10 times their size, lobbing what was termed as an "astounding" amount of firepower at them. Sgt Miller ordered the team to fall back, and drew that astounding incoming fire on himself as he covered his team's retreat. Regrettably, Sgt. Miller lost his life in that valley, but his actions protected the lives of his men and allowed them to strike a major blow against the local insurgency. Although these accounts of today's heroes are truly humbling, they also make us better appreciate those that have raised their hand to serve in the past, our veterans. These men and women represent that which is most noble about America - service in the pursuit of freedom, sacrifice for the protection of others, and courage in a time of fear. When the corporate world thinks of veterans, they mean someone with experience and skill, who can knowledgeably handle a given situation. The military, too, considers veterans as those with experience. But in contrast to the business world, the term "military veteran" also connotes wear and tear, sacrifice and loss. Often, scars are the only souvenirs they have of what they might have left behind. These will often heal over time, however. Even the wounds that can't be seen will likely fade. But, the remaining twinge or numbness will always remind the wearer of that which was lost - and always remind the observer that the wholesomeness and wholeness of youth is too often sacrificed for the promise of a peaceful, secure, and - most importantly - free nation. It is this nation's solemn responsibility to remember our veterans with pride and gratitude. America's young men and women continue to answer this nation's call each and every day. They stand on the shoulders of the veterans who have gone before them, and they share in the legacy of courage, honor, valor, and sacrifice that our nation's veterans have established for them. They are America's newest Greatest Generation, and America can be proud of her sons and daughters who are a part of it. On Veterans Day, take time to remember all of our veterans, from every generation, from Saigon to Khe Sanh, Iwo Jima to Inchon, and Concord to Kandahar. Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen that have, since the birth of our nation, traveled to the most remote locations and experienced the most austere and dangerous conditions - all in order to protect the warmth and comfort of home. Remember them and, if you get the opportunity, be sure to thank them for their service. As always, thank you for yours.