A thank‑you on Veterans Day won’t close the growing military‑civilian gap

Photo: The U.S. Strategic Command’s honor guard posts the colors prior to leading Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., members and tenant units in the 2011 Veterans Day parade in Bellevue, Neb., Nov. 5, 2011. Hundreds of military members start the annual parade where people gather to pay their respects to those who serve in the armed forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger). Attribution: “111105-F-XV591-001” by US Air Force via Flickr. United States Government Work. Article by Scott Parrott. The Conversation – November 9, 2026.

When the voice came over the plane’s PA system, it seemed familiar yet surprising: “Hello, everybody.” “What?!” a passenger shouted, shocked. Others laughed and rose from their seats as former President Barack Obama appeared in person and welcomed the airplane of veterans to Washington before Veterans Day in 2025. They had flown from Wisconsin to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport aboard an Honor Flight to see the capital’s monuments to military service. “I wanted to stop by and just say thank you for your extraordinary service – to you, your family,” Obama said in brief remarks later posted to social media. “The sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country is something that will always be honored.” […]

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