Yesterday most of America probably celebrated Veterans Day with brief moments of remembrance and a few casual references. In the face of our busy lives, this quiet holiday fades into the background, much like the heroes it honors.

Just a few years ago, I looked upon veterans with detached respect — they were people to be honored, but I didn’t fully understand why. However, through two very special experiences, I gained a new understanding of why we truly celebrate this holiday.

Associated Press

My paradigm shift began in 2007, when I started volunteering for the Veterans History Project. This project records interviews with veterans, capturing their stories for future generations. Hearing hundreds of untold stories through the project caused my respect for veterans to blossom into pure gratitude.

Through this project, I become intimately involved with the stories of veterans. The soldiers who flew B-17s over Germany, or hopped the hump in the China-Burma-India Theater, or who served on destroyers in the Pacific became more than the vague masses I discussed in history classes—they became individuals, with names and unique stories.

My second experience occurred while I was working as a journalist in Washington, D.C. Day after day I would tramp through Capitol Hill office buildings, looking for politicians to quote and lies to untwist. The endless talking points and soulless minions who dutifully avoided straight answers would often wear on me. Washington is a great city to encourage depression.

Early one morning, I walked to the World War II Memorial while cursing corrupt politicians. While I grumped, I watched a daughter escort her father into the memorial. The man, clearly a veteran who had likely served in the war being honored, tottered around the small plaza slowly. He paused at the Freedom Wall, where more than 4,000 stars represent the men and women killed in the war. After a few minutes there, he took his daughter’s arm once more and moved quietly away, disappearing into the crowds.

The modesty displayed by this solitary veteran is part of the same humble pride that all veterans share. Those who sacrifice for the United States of America do so for various reasons, but at the root of it all is patriotism and belief in a divinely inspired system of government. The men and women of our armed forces are not nameless or faceless, but are individuals who have answered a call that comes from somewhere deeper than most of us can understand. They do not ask for honor; we should give it to them freely.

With the horror at Ft. Hood fresh in our memories and the War on Terrorism still being fought, remember that those serving in the armed forces have dedicated their all to a cause greater than themselves. Thank them for their service. Although they will never see themselves as heroes, the rest of us should know better.