Timothy J. Smith
Director, District of Columbia Office of Veterans Affairs

Dear District Veterans,

It is with great pride and pleasure that I write this letter to you.  On this day, the entire nation pays tribute to all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.  And no one is more deserving of a day dedicated to his or her service than the American military veteran.

This particular Veterans Day comes one week after one of the most historic moments in American history.  One week ago, this country elected its first African-American President.  This president-elect, by the way, is a senator who also serves on the US Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.  This could bode well for you, the veteran, and your families, as we know this president-elect certainly cares about veteran issues.

But, this historic undertaking was made possible in part due to the protection the US military provides and in part to the blood shed by American veterans.  And by having the right to vote and using the freedom to vote, more Americans came to the polls than ever before to elect our new president. 

During our beginning stages of development, it took the American military to free this nation from unfair taxation and scant representation in the 1700s, allowing for our early nation to elect its own leadership.  A bit later in our history, in 1965, the Alabama National Guard was mobilized under federal order to assist African Americans with succeeding in their historic march from Selma to Montgomery to dramatize registration issues.  Just a few months later, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed by President Lyndon Johnson.  Now all Americans have the right to vote.

Today, local, state, and federal elections are held freely in the US.  Americans do not have to fear attack or reprisal for going to the polls.  However, this is not the case in Iraq, where the American military, again, has to assist with providing the freedom to vote.  The American military helps to provide stability at the polls, and instill hope and promise as Iraqi citizens bravely take advantage of their opportunity to vote in a fair election.

Just think a few years from now, our new, younger veterans will talk about how they helped bring about a revolution, and how they helped provide a nation the freedom to vote.

Veterans, this day is yours!  Each of you has made contributions in peacetime and/or during war.  Each of you are valued and appreciated.

On behalf of Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor of the District of Columbia, and the citizens of the District, I salute you!