It’s no coincidence that the Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Day fall back-to-back in November. The Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775, and Marines proudly celebrate their birthday each year with time-honored tradition, brotherhood, and pride. The very next day, November 11, America pauses to honor all who have worn the uniform on Veterans Day, a time to reflect, remember, and give thanks to those who have defended our freedom.

This week holds deep and personal meaning for me. My wife was born on November 10th, sharing her birthday with the United States Marine Corps, and one of my closest friends, a Marine Corps veteran and former police officer, was born on November 11th, Veterans Day itself. I couldn’t be prouder of him and his service to both his country and his community.

But the connection runs even deeper. My father, Pvt. Paul Sorensen of Chebanse, Illinois, served with courage during the Korean War. At just 19 years old, he was wounded in action on September 11 while serving with I Company of the 27th Regiment. He wrote home from the front lines after sustaining shrapnel wounds to his neck and foot while his unit fought to take a hill from enemy forces. His words were humble, his spirit unbroken. Like so many of his generation, he never saw himself as a hero, but to me, and to countless others who carry the stories of loved ones who served, he always will be.

These back-to-back birthdays and memories, tied to such powerful symbols of courage, sacrifice, and love of country, make this week especially meaningful to me.

A Legacy of Honor

Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day began in 1919, marking the end of World War I. Over time, it evolved to honor every generation of American warriors:

• 1919: President Woodrow Wilson proclaims Armistice Day.
• 1938: Congress makes it a national holiday.
• 1947: WWII veteran Raymond Weeks hosts the first “National Veterans Day” in Birmingham, Alabama.
• 1954: President Eisenhower officially renames it Veterans Day, paying tribute to all who served.

Ways to Honor Veterans

Across the nation, Americans celebrate Veterans Day in countless meaningful ways:

• Attend parades, memorials, or the National Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington, where the President lays a wreath at the *Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• Visit veterans’ cemeteries or memorials and spend time with those who served.
• Support veterans’ charities that provide healthcare, housing, and job assistance.
• Write letters, host appreciation breakfasts, or simply say “thank you” to a veteran.
• Join community events, museum exhibits, and local sports tributes that honor our heroes.

Proud American Traditions

• It’s Veterans Day, not Veteran’s Day because it honors all veterans, not just one.
• Marines celebrate both their birthday and Veterans Day with a proud 96-hour liberty, uniting two sacred traditions.
• Other nations mark November 11 as Remembrance Day or Poppy Day, paying tribute to their fallen.

From the Marines’ battlefields of 1775 to today’s modern warriors, these November observances remind us that freedom isn’t free. Every Marine. Every Soldier. Every Sailor. Every Airman. Every Guardian. Every Coast Guardsman.

On these sacred days, we salute them all with pride, gratitude, and unwavering love for our great nation.

Semper Fidelis. God Bless Our Veterans. God Bless America.

*The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery is a sacred monument honoring unidentified service members who gave their lives defending the United States. It stands as a symbol of the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of every soldier who has fallen in battle, known or unknown.

Guarding the Tomb is one of the most demanding and respected duties in the military. The sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” stand watch 24/7, through rain, snow, heat, and cold, never wavering, never forgetting. Every movement is precise, every step deliberate, and the ceremony is performed with absolute discipline.

Serving at the Tomb is more than a duty. It is an honor. It represents our nation’s solemn promise to remember and respect its fallen heroes forever.