Once a year, we honor our military personnel with a special day, acknowledging their service to their country and to us as citizens of that country. That is the least we can do.

A more fitting tribute would be to live our lives mirroring the example of service they have rendered, putting our all on the line for God and country in the communities where we live, work and play.

Our military folk study, train and work to perfect their tasks and carry out their assigned responsibilities effectively and efficiently. They don’t say, “That’s too hard,” “You don’t pay me enough,” “I don’t want to get involved,” “I’d rather do it my way,” or “I just don’t feel like it today.” They are expected to show up regularly, on time and ready for work, whatever that may entail. Their labors are carried out under codes of honor that demand honesty, duty, courage and selflessness. They are expected to carry out their assignments even if it means their death, and in the face of peril, they value the life and safety of their comrades more than they do their own.

If all Americans lived each day by the ideals American servicemen and servicewomen are exhorted to live, our country would be a much better place — for all its citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic status. From the smallest hamlets to the halls of Washington, D.C., decisions rendered that affect a few or nearly all Americans would be much more fair, compassionate, wise and effective, both for the short-term and the long-term.

So today, honor our veterans, but starting today, let’s vow to live like them and really demonstrate how much we love our country.