My name is Ivan Sterpin, and I am honored to serve as the Armed Forces and International Services Director for the South Carolina Region of the American Red Cross. On behalf of our entire Red Cross team, I want to wish everyone a heartfelt Happy Veterans Day. 

This Veterans Day, I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by our Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve members, their families, and our veteran community. This day is about celebrating the freedoms we enjoy, and the freedoms made possible by the dedication and service of our military. 

When I think of Veterans Day, I think about the time I spent away from my family. I retired from the U.S. Air Force after 24 years of honorable service, during which I deployed many times, and each one requiring me to say goodbye to my wife and our two daughters.  

I remember waking my girls at 4 a.m. so they could come to the base and see me off. I always tried to be tough, but those moments tested me the most. Holding back tears as I thought about the birthdays, holidays, and simple everyday moments I’d miss like the soccer practices, gymnastics, ballet, the school drop-offs, the weekend breakfasts, and the backyard BBQs—it was never easy. 

It wasn’t just about missing milestones; it was about missing life. And through it all, my wife was the one holding everything together at home. Spouses often go unrecognized, but they carry an enormous burden so we can focus on the mission. I could not have done my job without her strength and resilience. 

Now that I’ve been retired for three years, I often reflect on my deployments but even more so on the time away from my family. Those are the sacrifices our service members make every day to ensure we continue to enjoy the lives and freedoms we hold dear. Not a day goes by that I don’t cherish the time I have with my family now, and I think of those who can’t do the same because they’re still serving. 

Every day, our military members are deployed around the world or preparing to be. The reality is simple: we are either at war or training for war. The demands of service are constant, and while our loved ones may sometimes feel forgotten, they never are. Our men and women in uniform are proud to serve and represent the United States wherever they go. 

So this Veterans Day, when you say, “Thank you for your service,” I ask that you think about what that truly means. Think about the sacrifices, the time away from home, the missed family moments, the long days, nights, and weekends, the 12-hour shifts, the 24/7 readiness, and the weight of responsibility. Our military members understand what they’re signing up for, and I hope you now have a deeper appreciation for that commitment. 

On behalf of the South Carolina Red Cross, I want to once again wish Happy Veterans Day to our incredible military and veteran community. You deserve this day to relax and enjoy the freedoms you help protect.