Hello, I am Lieutenant General Norm Seip. As we approach our eighth year since the United States was attacked on September 11th, 2001… the United States Armed Forces have been continuously conducting overseas operations to help provide a safe, secure and stable world; free from intimidation and fear.

We provide disaster relief and humanitarian assistance to nations plagued by floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and drought. We provide clinics, schools, wells, and medical assistance to the peoples of nations in need. We aided the people of Iraq in providing for their own security and are working in Afghanistan to do the same. No matter where our mission takes us, we are there to protect our nation from today and tomorrow’s threats.

Everyday we loose a soldier, sailor, airman or marine in combat as our military services carry out the mission around the globe. These brave and courageous members of our Armed Forces have paid the ultimate price for our nation’s freedom and the freedom of her people. Despite these dangers many men and women continue to volunteer to join the ranks of these heroes, and even volunteer to personally face these same hazards time and again.

Our nation is a melting pot of nationalities, beliefs and ideals… and our military is the same. This volunteer force is comprised of men and women from all walks of life. We come from a number of backgrounds, and ancestry. We come from families with a variety of principles… we are uncles, mothers, brothers and daughters and we are united by a single calling… a call to duty. A duty to serve and protect our nation’s borders, our nation’s ideals, and our nation’s people… against all enemies, which threaten our way of life and liberty. Regardless of our origins, this desire to serve our nation and protect our families motivates this volunteer force to spend months and years away missing many birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries.

As a 35 year member of the United States Armed Forces, I can say… we are merely doing what we have sworn to do. On a number of occasions, the leaders in local communities around the US have asked me what their community can do to show their support for these men and women who wear the uniform. Should you come across a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine, especially as they return from a deployment, one thing you can do is give them a heartfelt “Thank You”. This is something every citizen can do and nothing means more to these selfless defenders.

With that, I would like to thank YOU for supporting our men and women in uniform as they make the many sacrifices, which come with doing their duty. Thank you!