Today, as we pause to celebrate Veterans Day, we stand together to honor the enduring sacrifices of America’s veterans and recognize those who have fought for our freedoms across generations. This day carries particular significance for my family, as we look back on a legacy of service that stretches from the American Civil War to present-day conflicts, and I am proud to carry that legacy forward. As we commemorate the heroic life of Raymond Weeks, the founder of the modern Veterans Day observance, I am reminded of the personal and national values he embodied and how they echo through the lives of my family members. Veterans Day is not only a time for remembrance but a time for reflection on how far we have come and the ideals that continue to unify us. It is with deep gratitude and respect for Raymond Weeks’ vision that I share my thoughts and honor my family’s contributions to this country.

Raymond Weeks: The Visionary Behind Veterans Day

Before Veterans Day became a national holiday in its current form, it was known as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. Armistice Day was a day of recognition primarily for World War I veterans, honoring their valor and dedication in one of the world’s most devastating conflicts. However, Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, had a grander vision. He believed that the valor of veterans from all wars should be celebrated, and he was tireless in his efforts to expand Armistice Day into a national holiday that honored all veterans, regardless of their service era or conflict.

In 1945, Raymond Weeks began advocating for a broader recognition, and after years of dedication, he organized the first national celebration of “Veterans Day” on November 11, 1947. His perseverance eventually led to a legislative change signed by President Eisenhower in 1954, transforming Armistice Day into Veterans Day. This transformation brought all veterans into the national narrative, reminding us that the sacrifice of one generation echoes through the lives and freedoms of every subsequent generation.

A Legacy of Service in My Family

For me, honoring Veterans Day is deeply personal. My family’s dedication to military service spans generations, with each member’s commitment to serving our country interwoven into the fabric of our lives. I think of my grandfather, Jim Freeman, whose Five Satins legacy was biologically instilled in me to break the norm and join the military myself at just 17. His pride, courage, and values are what I carried in my DNA with me during my own service in Iraq, where I was awarded a Combat Action Badge for my efforts at age 19 in Bagdad Iraq. It is these stories that keep my family’s legacy alive and demonstrate the impact that veterans like Raymond Weeks have on families and communities across the country.

In our family, service is a bond that unites us across time and generations. My wife, Angel, joined the Army Reserves at 30, balancing her responsibilities as an air traffic controller with raising our family. Our son was born on Veterans Day in 2022, at precisely 11:11 a.m. — a moment that feels destined, as though the values of service are now inherently a part of him. His sister, though too young to fully understand, was there alongside Angel during her enlistment, a symbol of the unwavering support that defines military families.

But this tradition of service goes even deeper. My great-grandfather, Clifford Freeman Sr., served in the U.S. Army during World War I, a time when America emerged as a global force defending democracy. His son, Clifford Freeman Jr., my great-uncle, continued the legacy in World War II, and later my great-uncle Clifford Freeman III defended our freedoms in the Korean War. On my mother’s side, Henry and Jack Fliehler, and Almon and Robert Fliehler served during critical conflicts, from World War I to Vietnam, all embodying the values of honor and duty. In tracing this history, I am reminded of Corporal Ripley Hale, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, who fought for the Union in the Civil War, demonstrating a commitment to country that defines our family.

Honoring Raymond Weeks’ Vision Through Action

Raymond Weeks’ legacy reminds us that honoring veterans is not just about thanking them once a year but supporting them in all the ways they need. My grandfather, Jim Freeman, constantly teaches me to understand that honoring veterans means more than gestures; it is about creating opportunities for them, providing pathways for healing, and celebrating their contributions to our communities. He often tells me stories about his own family, about how they felt the weight of the responsibilities that came with each deployment, and how they embraced their roles in service and sacrifice.

This understanding of honoring veterans has driven my work with National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), where we aim to empower veterans to become entrepreneurs and community leaders. Through our initiatives, we seek to honor the spirit of Raymond Weeks by providing veterans with resources that ensure their service does not end when they take off the uniform. Rather, it transforms into contributions that strengthen and enrich their communities. In establishing programs that support veterans in launching their own businesses, we are working to ensure that they have every opportunity to thrive.

In the spirit of Raymond Weeks, NIVW is not just a celebration; it is an opportunity to invest in those who have already given so much. The domains we’ve acquired for veteran-focused resources across the United States and internationally serve as a digital monument, a living legacy that honors veterans’ contributions and supports their journeys into new roles as civilians. It is our mission to ensure that veterans can find resources tailored to their needs, wherever they are, and to build a support network that uplifts them in ways that Raymond Weeks himself would be proud of.

The Legacy Continues: Embracing the Future with Purpose

Each Veterans Day, as I reflect on my own family’s history and the remarkable vision of Raymond Weeks, I am reminded that our duty to veterans is never complete. Veterans Day is not just a celebration; it is a call to action, a reminder that we must continue to support, uplift, and honor those who have served. My family’s legacy of service is a testament to the resilience and strength that define America’s veterans, but it is also a reminder of the responsibility we all share to support them.

In carrying forward my grandfather’s pride and my family’s dedication, I am inspired to build on what Raymond Weeks began. NIVW’s work in empowering veteran entrepreneurs across states and countries is just one part of the broader support system veterans deserve. Our initiatives seek to create lasting impacts by making veterans’ contributions visible, by connecting them to resources that allow them to thrive in civilian life, and by fostering a community that honors their service every day.

This Veterans Day, as we celebrate and remember, let us all take a moment to thank those like Raymond Weeks, who had the foresight to broaden our collective understanding of sacrifice and service. Let us thank the generations of men and women who have given selflessly and honor them by building a society that values their sacrifices and fosters their success.

In Tribute to Raymond Weeks: A Call to Invest in Our Veterans

Raymond Weeks’ advocacy transformed Veterans Day into a universal day of recognition, but his legacy invites us to do more than simply remember. It calls us to action, to actively invest in those who have served, ensuring their futures are as promising as their sacrifices are valued. For my family and for veterans everywhere, I am committed to upholding this call through National Invest In Veterans Week®, knowing that this tribute will echo through the lives of veterans and families long after today.

As my grandfather Jim Freeman often says, “Service doesn’t end with the uniform.” It is a continuous journey, one that veterans carry forward into every community they touch. It is a journey we honor this Veterans Day, recognizing the courage, resilience, and lasting impact of our nation’s veterans.

This Veterans Day, in memory of Raymond Weeks and with gratitude for the legacy he left us, let us remember that every veteran is a bridge between the past and the future. Let us commit to investing in their lives, empowering them to flourish, and ensuring that their sacrifices are honored not just today, but every day.

Jeff Shuford is the visionary leader behind National Invest In Veterans Week®, a nationally recognized initiative dedicated to empowering veterans in their transition to civilian life through entrepreneurship and community support.