Reflections on a historic Veterans Day
Hawk Carlisle, president and chief executive officer of NDIA and a retired Air Force general, offers these thoughts on Veterans Day and the anniversary of the end of World War I:
This Veterans Day, I salute all American veterans on behalf of the National Defense Industrial Association. We honor those of you among us, and those who live on in hearts and memories, for your sacrifices made on behalf of our nation.
On this 100th anniversary of Armistice Day -- what became Veterans Day – we mark the end of World War I, on Nov. 11, 1918. What H.G. Wells called “the war to end all wars” established the American military as a preeminent force for good. The men and women who served in World War I used their observations and experience to build the strategic, operational and tactical foundations that drove American success in World War II and throughout the 20th century. And the lessons we learned about the need for industrial preparedness set the stage for NDIA and success during future conflicts.
NDIA continues to champion U.S. industrial base readiness in support of American warfighters. As we prepare to mark our own 100th anniversary in 2019, we remember each generation of warfighters stands on the shoulders of the veterans who came before them. We are fortunate every generation of Americans has answered the call of duty and left the nation with a proud legacy of service. We honor them and their families who made their service possible.