The Meaning of Veterans Day and the Importance of Military Service

0:00 Speaker 1 With us today is Lieutenant General John F. Mulholland and his wife Miriam is with us too to talk about Veterans Day and everything that veterans have been through to save America and work for America. And today being Veterans Day, what the heck is going on? in America. Well, General, there’s so many things going on in America. We had

0:25 an election last week, and we have Veterans Day this week. How do the veterans feel that the American people appreciate them as much as they used to?

0:39 Speaker 2 Well, of course, I can only go by what I know in my own life experience, but I do think that there is a... This experience with my own and then by my fellow teammates, I think there is a very strong sense of awareness across the country for the contribution our veterans have made to the security of our

1:05 country and the service they’ve provided. Again, very small proportion of Americans actually do serve, as I think people are well aware now. Something like 1% of Americans actually wear the uniform.

1:18 Speaker 1 So I think.

1:20 Speaker 2 overall. I mean, uh, again, my own experience is that most Americans do very much appreciate the service of veterans, um, as well as the folks, of course, still on actual duty, even though the actual experience of what it’s like to serve is, is thin across the country because so few Americans actually, you know, sign on the paper and put

1:45 the uniform on.

1:48 Speaker 1 Understood. Now, um, How many years did you serve, and you had pretty high-up jobs in the Army, in the CIA, et cetera?

2:00 Speaker 2 I had almost 38 years of service as a National Duty Army officer. I was honored to be able to serve probably the last third or so of my career as a general officer that— It did allow me to serve in some very senior positions in our special operations community.

2:23 I’m an Army Special Forces officer by trade and also finished up as the senior military officer at the Central Intelligence Agency, a position that’s known as the Associate Director for Military Affairs, where you’re supporting the director of CIA on things to do with the military because there’s close relationship between the Department of Defense and and the CIA.

2:49 And so many years ago, a position was established to recognize that and put an active duty general officer over there at CIA to assist with that relationship.

3:01 Speaker 1 Understood. What else would you like to tell the American people today?

3:07 Speaker 2 Over the last couple of years, the military has become far too politicized, which is anathema to what a Army that serves the Constitution of the United States should be about. So the less said about politics in the military, the better.

3:25 As far as Veterans Day is concerned, of course, it’s also the anniversary of the end of World War I, which is where the day comes from. Obviously, it’s of great significance to us. Many Americans confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day, which is where we remember, of course, our fallen teammates who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of

3:52 the country. Veterans Day is where we honor the service of Americans who have served in the armed forces, and I would extend it to, say, the intelligence community as well, because they, too, are a vital part of our nation’s security abroad. And that’s where we honor the service of those who’ve worn the uniform, whether they did it for

4:15 one tour of duty or for a career. They decided to serve in a way that so few Americans do decide to serve. And that service is unique in the challenges and the risks that service members face and, of course, their families as well. So it’s a great day. I think most Americans do indeed rally to the idea of

4:44 celebrating service. And again, in this case, it’s not necessarily commemorating our fallen. We always remember our fallen, but that’s Memorial Day. It’s an important distinction that Veterans Day is honoring those who served and whether they passed on and gone to their reward or are still among us. Time taken out of the year to specifically focus on recognizing

5:07 those who put on the uniform of the United States of America and serve this country, and whether it’s in conflict or not, they’re out there doing the hard work on behalf of our country.

5:18 Speaker 1 Understood. Well, thank you, General, for coming on, and thank you for your service to our country. And does your wife, Miriam, have anything to say? Hi.

5:29 Speaker 3 I would just like to say that I am a proud military spouse of my husband, you know, almost 38 years of service. but also we have four children, three of whom, um, served. Our daughter is still serving in the army and three of our in-law children, um, a daughter-in-law and two sons-in-law. Also one is still serving and

5:55 the other two are veterans. So we have a great deal invested in the military of our nation.

6:02 Speaker 1 Well, thank you for everything you’ve done for our nation. I know you love our nation and you and your husband and, and, uh, Thank you for everything you’ve done, and we’ll catch up with you again real soon.

6:14 Speaker 3 Well, you’re very welcome.