In times of war and peace, our military is our strength. We rely on them for protection and our peace of mind, as they are the backbone of our great nation. All of the men and women who serve selflessly for America’s freedom should be honored and acknowledged not only on Veterans Day, but every day.

In addition to our many veterans, the 21st District is home to Whiteman Air Force Base (WAFB), the home of the 509th Bomber Wing, the nation’s only B2 Stealth Bomber Unit. Recently, I had the pleasure of taking other Missouri Senators along with community leaders on a tour of Whiteman. We were fortunate to meet many of the outstanding men and women serving at Whiteman Air Force Base.

At the tour we discovered, by using the technology of the Stealth Bomber these fine airmen can launch combat from Missouri to any place in the world. The first time combat called for the use of the Stealth Bomber was as part of Operation Allied Force over Serbia and Kosovo in 1999. The B-2 has been instrumental in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq.

Whiteman is home to many other important units including, the 442nd Fighter Wing, an Air Reserve wing flying the A-10. The base also contains the 131st Bomb Wing, an Air National Guard unit that flies the B-2 alongside the 509th, and the Army's 1-135th Attack Battalion.

This tour, while certainly interesting and educational, serves multiple purposes. It becomes clear that WAFB is an enormous asset to the local and state economy. The attendees learned more about daily operations of such a large military installation while also seeing firsthand how important it is that we make Missouri as military-friendly a state as possible.

After spending the day at Whiteman, I drove away with a sense of pride for active duty, guard, reserve and former service members who sacrifice for our country on a daily basis. With Veterans Day approaching I wanted to be sure to mention how humbled I am by the sacrifices of so many.

What began as Armistice Day by order of President Woodrow Wilson on Nov. 11, 1919, the holiday was changed several times over the years. Finally in 1954, its current designation honoring all veterans of all wars began.

I have felt the pride in all the various celebrations and parades over the years, as these honored veterans bask in the love of a simple handshake from a boy too young to remember those sacrifices, to the elderly citizens who stand tall as the marches go by on the streets.

This year, take some time out to think about the cost of freedom and the great men and women who stand every day to protect our way of life. If you see a member of the armed forces in your local store or on the street, take a moment to thank them for their service and dedication. We celebrate this occasion once a year, but we don’t need a national holiday to make our veterans feel honored.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at (866) 277-0882 (toll-free) or (573) 751-2272, or by fax at (573) 526-7381.