CEO’s Message – December 2024

Honoring Those Who Served

Veterans Day is a holiday for all. I always look forward to the holidays, celebrating the bustle, hustle, and joy that come with Thanksgiving and Christmas. For many of us, these are happy weeks, and I’m appreciative of every 1 of them. But there’s also another holiday this season deserving of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance.

Every November 11, Veterans Day honors the men and women who served in the armed forces. It’s a day that carries a great deal of weight in rural communities like ours, where many families know intimately about all that our veterans face.

Perhaps there are stories handed down from generation to generation about someone who served decades ago. Or maybe a current family member recently served or is currently active in the military. Communities like ours always step up when there’s a need.

I see daily examples of how our communications services connect us. Even though they’ve changed over the years, beginning with telephone service and continuing with our fast reliable broadband network, the thread is still the same––we help you make connections.

Veterans Day gives another opportunity to make a connection that may have a deeper meaning. Consider taking a few minutes to reach out, listen, and learn about those who served.

1 of the best ways to honor our veterans is by ensuring their stories are never lost. In today’s digital-infused world, we have more communications tools than ever. Many online resources allow you to learn more about the experiences of our veterans and contribute to preserving their stories.

For example, the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project is a great resource. The project collects and preserves personal accounts of American war veterans so future generations can hear them. If you have a veteran in your life, consider recording their story and sending it to the project. It’s a powerful way to ensure their legacy endures. Visit loc.gov and search for the Veterans History Project for all the details.

Another valuable resource is the National Archives, archives.gov, which has a wealth of information about military records and veterans’ service histories. You can request records, which is particularly useful for those doing genealogy work. Similarly, The Virtual Wall, found at virtualwall.org, collects and displays the names and details of service members who died in Vietnam.

For those looking to take on a more direct role in supporting veterans, organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project and many others work to help members of our armed services.

Thank you for joining me in celebrating these valiant men and women. Have a wonderful holiday season and a Merry Christmas.