First called Armistice Day, November 11, 1919, reminded a grateful nation that World War I had officially ended one year earlier, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
By 1938, this annual day of commemoration had grown from a national observance to a federal holiday. Then, in 1954, following World War II and the Korean War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially rededicated November 11 as Veterans Day, honoring veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces, which now include the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy, and Space Force.
A heartfelt thanks
American Family Association (AFA) employs several veterans, including Bo Hefner, AFA’s director of campus operations. Hefner, an Air Force veteran himself, credits two veterans for changing the trajectory of his life from possible high school dropout to dedicated husband, father, and youth minister.
“Before my senior year,” Hefner shared, “I began dating Heather [now my wife] and met her grandfather, retired Lt. Col. Bill Finch.”
Affectionately called “Gramps,” Finch quickly captivated Hefner’s attention with stories of his military experiences from 20-plus years in the Air Force.
Hefner was also impacted by retired Senior Master Sgt. Jim Bob McCarty, who started the Air Force Junior ROTC (JROTC) program at Hefner’s high school. Instead of foregoing graduation for work, Hefner was encouraged by McCarty to return to school, where he excelled, earning top JROTC rankings and enlisting in the Air Force.
Hefner explained how these men supported and mentored him from that time forward: “So much of who I am today is due to God’s providential timing in placing these two veterans in my life.”
A challenge to accept
In response to their impact, Hefner challenges others to mindfully recognize and honor local veterans. However, he did not emphasize just how imperative that challenge really is.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, there are currently 18.6 million living veterans, accounting for 6% of America’s population. But, sadly, that number is slated to drop more than a third by 2048.
With that sobering thought in mind, The Stand decided to recognize and properly thank each of the veterans working here at AFA:
• Britt Baskett (Army Reserve)
• Ken Green (Army)
• Bo Hefner (Air Force)
• Fred Jackson (Canadian Air Force)
• Randy Lucius (Air Force)
• Thomas May (Army)
• Kevin Parker (embedded with Army)
• Bobby Roza (Air Force)
• Geoff Wagner (National Guard)
• Matthew White (National Guard)
AFA is thankful for these men, who voluntarily served on behalf of families and communities as well as an entire nation.
These are but 10 of the millions of servicemen and servicewomen who can be found in workplaces throughout this country. Each day, these veterans are still contributing to America, right in front of an often-forgetful nation.
Perhaps it is high time to heed Hefner’s challenge to diligently look for and honor local veterans, not only this Veterans Day but every day.
As Hefner so aptly reminded, “America’s freedoms are due, in large part, to America’s veterans.”
(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in the November 2024 print edition of The Stand. Click HERE for a free six-month subscription.)
