Honoring Veterans & Preventing Future Conflicts

Zach Nunn, Paul Chevalier, and James Smith

From the Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, to the Haiti Earthquake, to the African Ebola outbreak, when massive humanitarian crises occur around the world, you can count on the U.S. military to be on the frontlines alongside American diplomats and development professionals. Forming the new “strategic triad”, defense, diplomacy and development are the foundation of American global leadership and the backbone of our foreign policy.

In times of conflict, no military force is more feared or respected than the U.S. military. None are better trained, better equipped, or better prepared than that of the United States. Wherever catastrophe or unrest is found, our troops stand ready to respond. We are honored and thankful for your service, and remember and respect the many who gave their lives far from home. On this Veterans Day, we also remember that the best way to thank our military members is to not send them into harm’s way unless essential to the national interest. War must always be the last resort of America’s power.

As fellow uniformed warriors, we continue to be proud of our service overseas, but we want to ensure hard-fought gains for the country are not lost. Providing and creating security can achieve only so much if economic and political progress do not follow.

Veterans’ Day has long celebrated America’s commitment to promoting global stability. Enacted in 1938 to commemorate the end of the first World War nearly three decades earlier, it was “dedicated to the cause of world peace” and to honor those who served in The Great War. Since then, Veterans’ Day expanded to incorporate those who have served in all wars, and to remember the devastating consequences of an absence of America’s leadership in the world.

American development and diplomatic assistance plays a key role in protecting our country and keeping troops out of harm’s way. By investing in developing economies, it creates hope, opportunity, and prosperity. By building schools and improving literacy, it leads to progress and new ways of seeing the world. By promoting conflict resolution, it seeks to end cycles of violence and bloodshed.

You rarely hear about the places in the world where stability and support help create a lasting peace, but all too often we watch 24-hour news networks detail how peace fell victim to war. War correspondents aren’t embedded into vaccination programs, investment in education, or economic development projects. But that doesn’t mean these success stories don’t exist.

Just 15 years ago, Colombia was a violent and lawless place, on the brink of being a failed state overrun by narcoterrorists who threatened America’s interests in our own hemisphere. U.S. civilian development programs, supported by military trainers, partnered with the Colombian government on drug internments, economic development, and education programs to defeat the traffickers. American assistance fostered stability, permitted trade to flourish, provided health care and schools, and trained judges in the rule of law.

Today, Colombia is the third largest export market for the United States in Latin America with a rapidly growing economy — and the drug-fueled insurgency has been nearly eradicated. All without American troops firing a single bullet.

Occasionally, we hear people say that the United States can’t afford to be so generous overseas. They suggest the money would be better spent here at home. But, these investments — less than 1% of the federal budget — help keep our troops safe and our country secure at home and abroad. Commander of US Central Command, General James Mattis understood the interconnected nature of defense, diplomacy, and development better than most when he testified before Congress, “If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.”

Our civilian programs overseas keep the faith with veterans and their service by preventing conflict and strengthening our relationships around the world. These programs save countless dollars, but more importantly lives in conflicts and crises that we don’t have to fight.

Since 9/11, we know that terrorism has no borders. Our top generals and admirals regularly remind the nation that we as the military alone cannot keep us safe. Our investments in diplomacy and economic development — alongside a strong defense — help mitigate instability and prevent conflict before it reaches our shores.

As so many American today and before us, we proudly and willingly served our country, fully knowing we would deploy into combat. This Veterans’ Day we honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. We salute those who are, at this very moment, on the front lines, protecting America from threats around the world. We also recognize the many who are committed to serve overseas as diplomats, public servants and development workers. Their jobs are not easy ones. Countless lives have, and will continue to be saved, because of their heroic work.

Retired Marine Sgt. Major Paul Chevalier served in Vietnam and is a Former State Commander of the New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars. Air Force Major Zach Nunn deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan and currently serves in the Iowa Air National Guard and the Iowa State House of Representatives. Army Major James Smith deployed to Afghanistan and currently serves in the South Carolina State House of Representatives. Smith is also in the South Carolina National Guard. All three are state leaders for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Veterans for Smart Power.