By Bill Brown, Executive Director of Military Education at ECPI University

Each November, I take a moment to reflect on what it truly means to serve. Veterans Day is more than just a date on the calendar: it’s a moment to honor those who have worn the uniform of our nation and continue to serve their communities in meaningful ways.

This year’s observance carried special significance. Along with honoring veterans across every branch, we also celebrated the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. That milestone is a testament to how deeply service is woven into our nation’s history. 

For those of us who have served, this day brings both pride and reflection. We remember the challenges that shaped us and the people who stood beside us. We also think about what it means to keep serving, even as our roles and missions change.

Honoring the Traditions That Keep Service Alive

This year’s Veterans Day celebration brought those ideas to life. Faculty, staff, and students all gathered for the annual cake cutting ceremony, a Marine Corps tradition where the oldest Marine passes a slice to the youngest. The gesture represents one generation guiding the next, both linked to the first Marines who took their oath in 1775.

As a veteran, I find that moment especially meaningful. It’s a simple act that captures what service means: learning from those who came before and preparing those who come after to carry it forward. It reminds me that commitment to others continues in how we live and lead every day.

That same spirit of service echoed in the voices of our guest speakers, Master Sergeant (Ret.) Robert Manson and student veteran Scott Picott. Both spoke about pride, discipline, and the lifelong responsibility that comes with wearing the uniform.

Rob shared what it means to earn the title of Marine and the sense of duty that continues long after active duty ends. Scott reflected on his father’s influence and how it helped him find focus and direction through the Marines. Together, their words captured the values and sacrifices that define the veteran community.

Building Community and Saving Lives

During his remarks, Scott addressed a difficult reality: far too many veterans lose their lives to suicide. Scott’s message was sincere and direct, urging each of us to look out for one another and to speak up when someone might be struggling. 

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 17 veterans die by suicide each day. While that number has slowly declined in recent years, it still represents thousands of lives lost annually and families forever changed. In Virginia, prevention programs and community partnerships have lowered the veteran suicide rate below the national average. However, that progress only underscores the importance of this ongoing mission.

It all begins with recognizing what we can do together. Earlier this year, ECPI University partnered with veteran service organizations and state leaders to strengthen suicide prevention and support efforts across Virginia. That collaboration showed how awareness can grow into action when people unite around a shared purpose.

Moments like these remind us how much connection matters. Just as in the military, battles are not meant to be faced alone. When communities stand together, they build the kind of strength that can carry people through their hardest days.

Living Their Values Every Day 

Our commitment to supporting veterans shouldn’t be limited to a single ceremony or a single day. It should be a continued effort. Every person in our community, whether military-affiliated or not, has an important role to play.

Saying a simple thank you to a passing veteran can go a long way. But even farther is to not only express our gratitude but to show it in our actions and interactions. We do this through remembering and embodying the values they hold dear, like integrity, self-sacrifice, and public service.

We can strive to approach our lives, careers, and education with the same discipline and commitment that they demonstrate. This means working with focus and purpose and never giving up even when our personal mission begins to test us. 

When we carry ourselves with this resolve, we honor our nation’s heroes and the sacrifices they made that allow us to have these opportunities.

The Meaning of Service

Veterans Day shows us that the values that shape service members are the same values that build strong communities. They are just as vital in peace as they are in conflict.

Service doesn’t end when the uniform is folded away. It continues in how we live, how we care for others, and how we build the future together. That is the meaning of Veterans Day. It’s a celebration of the living legacy of service and a reminder that our mission never truly ends.

About the Author: Bill Brown, Executive Director of Military Education 

Bill Brown is a retired Army officer and seasoned military and veteran education executive. He brings extensive leadership and management expertise, with a career spanning global assignments in operations, personnel, and logistics. Known as a collaborative and innovative leader, he approaches his work with intellectual rigor and genuine enthusiasm, dedicated to advancing education and support for service members and veterans.