Keep safety in mind this Veterans Day

By BG William T. WolfNovember 9, 2009

Veterans Day has long been held as a day to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. This year, the importance of this national holiday is particularly poignant as we prepare to observe our ninth consecutive Veterans Day as an Army at war.

During my many visits to our Soldiers around the globe, I have seen their deep love of country and willingness to serve in everything they do. Whether manning a security check point in Iraq, flying an air assault in Afghanistan or organizing a fundraiser to benefit local toy drives, our Band of Brothers and Sisters is doing the hard work in ways every citizen of our great country can take pride in.

As proud as I am of the hard work all our Soldiers, past and present, are doing on behalf of our nation, I know this important work cannot be done as successfully if even one member of our team is lost to a preventable accident.

Fiscal 2009 was a banner year for Army safety as accidental fatalities dropped to their lowest level since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and I applaud each of you for your help in achieving this great milestone. As we kicked off Fiscal 2010, however, we have watched our team lose far too many Soldiers to preventable accidents.

As we pause to observe Veterans Day, to remember and honor those men and women who have sacrificed so we might enjoy the many freedoms of this great nation, I ask that each of you renew your commitment to safety and risk management in everything you do. Remember, you have the power to make things safer in your corner of the world and I encourage you to honor our veterans by doing your part to keep them safe and alive to celebrate another Veterans Day.

We at the USACR/Safety Center honor your service and thank you for the sacrifices you and your Families make every day. Have a safe and enjoyable Veterans Day.

Army Safe Is Army Strong!

William T. Wolf

Brigadier General, USA

Director of Army Safety