This is Craig Bushon, and today’s message is personal.
It’s not about headlines or politics.
It’s about gratitude — and what it truly means to be an American.
Veterans Day reminds us that the freedom we live under didn’t happen by accident. It came from courage, sacrifice, and faith. It came from men and women who were willing to raise their right hand and say, “Send me.” They came from every walk of life, from small towns and big cities, from every background imaginable. They didn’t serve for glory or recognition, they served because they believed in the promise of America.
That promise is what this day is all about.
Veterans Day is a time of reflection, a moment to remember that liberty must always be protected and that unity must always be earned. Freedom is not guaranteed. It is secured through courage and preserved by a people who understand that we are all in this together.
When I think about the American veteran, I think about quiet strength, humility, and a deep sense of duty. I think about a farmer from Kansas, a teacher from Tennessee, a Marine on patrol, or a nurse on a hospital ship. They are everyday Americans who did something extraordinary, they chose to serve. That choice defines who we are as a nation.
But we must also remember those who came home carrying the hidden battles within them. Some bear visible scars, others carry the weight of memories that never fade. The fight doesn’t always end when the uniform comes off. For too many of our heroes, the war follows them home, through sleepless nights, through anxiety, through the long road of recovery and healing.
We can never turn our backs on them. We must be a nation that stands by its defenders long after the headlines fade. Every veteran who carries those burdens deserves our care, our compassion, and our unwavering support. Whether it’s mental health care, community outreach, or simply listening without judgment, helping them heal is a duty we all share. The same courage they showed in battle is now needed from us, the courage to care.
Because America’s promise isn’t fulfilled only on the battlefield. It’s fulfilled in how we treat those who have fought for us when they come home. No veteran should ever have to fight their hardest battles alone.
And that same belief in service and responsibility is what inspired me to begin Unified America and the Amer-I-Can movement. I am launching this nonprofit in 2026, timed with our nation’s 250th birthday, to call Americans back to the principles that make this country strong: truth, accountability, the power of the vote and unity.
Every veteran I’ve ever met carries the same message: America is strongest when her people take ownership of her future. That’s what Unified America stands for. It’s a reminder that citizenship is not a spectator sport. We all have a duty to defend, preserve, and strengthen the nation that so many have fought and died for. Veterans taught us what it looks like to live for something greater than ourselves, and I want to honor that by encouraging a new generation of Americans to do the same.
It’s not about politics. It’s patriotism in action. It’s unity with purpose.
From the freezing ground of Valley Forge to the beaches of Normandy, from the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts of the Middle East, our veterans stood firm when freedom trembled. They didn’t fight for a party or a title. They fought for the idea that every American deserves the right to live free.
When the world darkened, they were the light.
And that light still shines today. You see it in the veteran who starts a business, mentors a young man who’s lost his way, or quietly volunteers in his community without asking for anything in return. You see it in the families who hold everything together during long deployments, praying for the safe return of their loved ones.
Those stories are the living story of America itself.
So today, let’s do more than say “thank you.” Let’s live in a way that makes their service matter. Hire a veteran. Listen to their story. Teach your children what that flag truly stands for.
Because when a veteran salutes that flag, they’re not saluting a symbol. They’re saluting sacrifice, unity, and the enduring belief that America’s best days are still ahead.
Our veterans remind us that this nation’s strength doesn’t come from Washington. It comes from her people, from the worker, the teacher, the parent, the pastor, and the neighbor who shows up when someone is in need. It comes from everyday Americans who believe they can make a difference.
That is the spirit of Unified America.
That is the spirit of Amer-I-Can.
As we look ahead to 2026 and the official launch of Unified America, I hold Veterans Day close to my heart because it reflects everything this movement stands for, service, unity, and accountability. Our veterans gave us the blueprint for what a unified nation looks like. Now it’s our turn to follow their example.
America is worth fighting for.
She’s worth defending.
And she’s worth believing in.
So wherever you are today, take a moment to thank a veteran. Shake their hand. Ask about their journey. Let them know their sacrifice still matters.
From all of us at The Craig Bushon Show, and from the heart of Unified America and the Amer-I-Can movement, we say thank you.
May we live in a way that honors your service, protects your sacrifice, and strengthens the country you fought to preserve.
I can. You can. We can. Amer-I-Can.
