GW College Republicans Honor our Nation's Veterans

Today, we remember that freedom has never been free. We honor the millions of American men and women who have dedicated their lives to defending their families at home, but also to defending the future of freedom and the American Dream for generations to come. 

In the words of Ronald Reagan, “We owe them a debt we can never repay. All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us.”

Today and every day, we stop and say thank you. Thank you to all of the brave men and women who have selflessly served our nation and sacrificed so much for each and every one of us. 

“Today, we honor all who have worn our nation’s uniform, heroes who remind us, as General MacArthur said, that “duty, honor, country” are not just words but a way of life. I am especially grateful to both my grandparents, Thomas Laffey and Peter Burkhard, whose service has taught me that love of country is shown through sacrifice and humble courage. May their stories, and the stories of all veterans, who put love for our nation first, be remembered. And let it be our mission, as the next generation of Americans, to keep present the heroism of those who came before us. May God bless all those who have served our beautiful country.” - Kieran Laffey, Chairman of GW College Republicans

“Every time my father visits me here in DC, he spends hours standing before the Vietnam War memorial, praying, reflecting in silence, finding the names of his friends whom he served with, remembering their sacrifice. My dad served our nation in the United States Marine Corps for 30 years. Throughout his life, I have seen firsthand the lifelong sacrifice and commitment of every man and woman who serves our nation. Every veteran gave up the fullness of their freedom and the enjoyment thereof so that every American could experience it to the fullest extent for years to come. It is for that enduring sacrifice that we can never repay them and yet today, in light of that debt, we say thank you.” - Elizabeth Cummings, Editor-in-Chief of The Right Angle

"Veterans Day always makes me think of my Papa, James Kellock. Papa is one of the bravest and most selfless people I know. He served with courage, strength, humility, and a love for this country and continues to instill those values in our family. I’m proud to be his granddaughter. Today, and every day, I honor him and all the veterans who have served to protect our freedom." - Christina Carris, Senior Director

“When I first came to GW my freshman year, I took some time to visit Arlington National Cemetery. Walking quietly among the endless rows of white headstones, each one representing a name, a story, and a life given in service to something greater than themselves, is something I will remember and value for the rest of my life. The sheer number of graves around me was overwhelming, a visible reminder of the burden carried by those who chose to defend this country. In that silence, I understood that the freedoms we live with every day are not abstract ideas, but hard-earned gifts paid for by countless acts of courage. Veterans Day reminds us that our nation’s strength has always come from ordinary people willing to make extraordinary sacrifices. Today, we honor them not only with words of gratitude but by striving to live out the American values they fought to preserve.” - John Tober, Director of Political Affairs