This Speakout was submitted by Greg Whitlock, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs.

Every day, we wake up to the gift of a land full of freedom because of the men and women who wore the uniform, stood guard, and protected us. They are the greatest heroes who proudly display the American spirit.

Their love for this country was so strong. They left home and family without knowing where their mission would take them, living in flawed conditions. They pushed themselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to be able to serve.

November provides us a great opportunity to honor and recognize the unique sacrifices that our veterans and their families made. November is also National Military Family Month, National Family Caregivers Month, and Warrior Care Month. With hundreds of thousands of service members deployed overseas, recognizing the daily sacrifices made by them and their families has never been more important.

My challenge to you is simple — let us dedicate November to honor these special heroes. There are so many ways to say thank you —write a note of thanks, thank them publicly on social media, offer workplace flexibility, provide job opportunities, perform a random act of kindness, or donate to a charity on their behalf. Our character as a nation is revealed through the honor we accord them, and measured by the respect with which we care for them.

Let us resolve never to stop trying to build a better world that our veterans and their families have sacrificed For. Let us all draw strength from their long legacy of service.