Veterans Day is the day when the 99% of Americans who have not served in the military take the time to honor and thank the 1% of Americans who have.

The above statement is a paraphrase from Howard Prince, himself a decorated veteran as well as the Director of the LBJ School of Ethical Leadership. He was one of the speakers today at the grand opening of the new Student Veterans Services Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

I’ve never served in the armed forces, but I have many friends and family members who have, including a number who have seen combat.

In honor of Veterans Day, I’d like to take a moment to thank them for their service and sacrifices. I’d also like to thank them for the wisdom that they have shared with me (particularly within the past year or so), much of which was born out of their experiences. What they have taught me about discipline, character, and strength may often seem to fly over my head, but this is my chance to tell them that it’s all very much appreciated and taken to heart. It is this wisdom and knowledge that allows me to continue to strive to be a better person and, hopefully, to be able to survive whatever life throws at me in the future.