Remember.
In my country, the United States, many fought to protect our freedoms — and perhaps even the freedoms of those living beyond our borders. They walked a path few of us can fully comprehend, and their courage, sacrifice, and service give them the undeniable right to be celebrated.
Recently, while walking into my bank, I noticed the American flag flapping in the breeze. That moment took me back to a familiar image from history class — young soldiers raising the U.S. flag on foreign soil. I thought of my own family, and my wife’s, both filled with veterans who gave their time, endured long separations from loved ones, and in some cases, suffered injuries or gave their lives. They are not just to be remembered — they must be.
Whether or not we individually support every conflict, I believe honoring those who have served is a matter of respect and gratitude.
More Than Military: Veterans of Leadership and Service
Lately, I’ve also been thinking about a different kind of veteran — ones who should be celebrated as well.
Veterans in the business world. Veterans of associations, nonprofits, and communities. People who’ve helped make our industries, cities, and lives better — often long before you or I arrived.
Over Memorial Day weekend, I had the opportunity to gather with a few leaders from the speaking profession. After an event, we sat down for lunch and talked about our shared years of serious service. Three of the people at that table were past presidents of the National Speakers Association (NSA). Serving as president meant sacrificing their time, their money, and even speaking engagements multiple times a year to plan and lead our organization.
Without these three leaders — and others like them — the National Speakers Association might not even exist today.
They are LEADERS worth celebrating.
Leaders Who Shaped Companies and Communities
There are veterans in business, too. People whose vision and work helped shape the companies and organizations we work in today.
Early in my career at IBM, although he had long since passed, IBM founder Thomas Watson was often quoted. On many desks throughout IBM, a plaque displayed a single five-letter word attributed to him: THINK. That simple idea drove a culture of curiosity and excellence. Watson was a veteran worth celebrating.
At Apple, Steve Jobs was a disruptor with vision, commitment, and a relentless pursuit of innovation. He redefined industries and consumer expectations. Jobs was a veteran worth celebrating.
In Winter Haven, Florida, George Jenkins founded Publix Supermarkets in 1930. His fingerprints remain on the company’s enduring commitment to service, quality, and community support. Jenkins was a veteran worth celebrating.
How You Can Honor the Veterans in Your World
Many of us work in organizations where the original leaders or founders are long gone. We may never meet them or fully understand their journey — but we benefit from the legacy they left behind.
That doesn’t minimize our responsibility.
It only increases it.
We have an obligation to remember, honor, and think about the veterans — military and professional — who paved the way for our freedom, our careers, and our lives.
Each Memorial Day, I hope you’ll take a moment to thank a veteran — whether they wore a uniform, carried a clipboard, or stood at the front of a room, leading with courage and commitment.
