By Bruce R. Duty, Retired U.S. Army Chaplain, CrossCountry3
As Veterans Day approaches, I find myself thinking about the remarkable men and women who have served our nation in uniform—and especially those who now call Okaloosa County home. From Valparaiso, Niceville and Bluewater Bay to Destin and Fort Walton Beach, veterans are woven into the fabric of our communities. They are our neighbors, business owners, teachers, coaches, pastors, parents and grandparents.
Their service deserves our gratitude. But, perhaps Veterans Day should also remind us that our veterans still have much to offer—and much worth hearing.
Our region has a remarkable military heritage. Nearby Eglin Air Force Base and the Army’s 7th Special Forces Group are reminders of those who continue to defend our nation. Many veterans have chosen to make Okaloosa County their home, bringing with them extraordinary experience, leadership, courage, resilience and a willingness to serve.
As a local retired Army chaplain, I understand something of that journey. My military career, including combat deployments to Iraq, allowed me to walk alongside remarkable soldiers and their families. Those experiences reinforced something I have never forgotten: Military service changes you – ordinary men and women serving in extraordinary circumstances.
It teaches discipline, sacrifice, teamwork and the importance of the person standing beside you. It also provides something that can be surprisingly difficult to replace when the uniform comes off—a powerful sense of purpose and belonging.
When military service ends, the mission can suddenly seem less clear. The question quietly becomes, What is my mission now?
Recently, I traveled to Boise, Idaho, where I attended a Mission43 event featuring acclaimed author and journalist Sebastian Junger. His remarkable book, Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging, explores our fundamental need for community, meaningful responsibility, and purpose.
During his presentation, Junger contrasted environments of high consequence and low consequence. Military service often places individuals in situations where their decisions and sacrifices have immediate significance. Returning to civilian life, where that same sense of responsibility may be less obvious, can be difficult.
Junger’s message reinforced something I witnessed repeatedly as an Army chaplain: Veterans don’t simply need appreciation. They need connection, purpose and opportunities to continue contributing.
One particularly meaningful suggestion Junger makes in Tribe involves communities creating opportunities for veterans to speak openly about their experiences. He encourages gatherings similar to town halls, where veterans can share what they witnessed, what they learned, and what they believe their fellow citizens should understand about military service and war.
I believe that is an idea worth pursuing right here in Okaloosa County. Imagine bringing together veterans from different generations and branches of service—not simply to recognize their accomplishments, but to listen. Some might discuss combat, others the challenges of transitioning to civilian life or lessons learned about leadership, sacrifice, family and friendship. And perhaps some would simply appreciate being heard.
Through CrossCountry3, the nonprofit ministry I lead, I would like to explore hosting such a gathering. I invite Okaloosa County veterans and family members interested in participating to contact me. Perhaps we begin with a simple gathering over coffee and see where it leads. This would not be a political rally or another ceremony filled with speeches, but an opportunity for veterans to speak, neighbors to listen and our community to grow stronger.
Veterans Day is certainly a time to remember and honor those who served. Yet, our responsibility extends beyond saying, “Thank you for your service.” We should also be asking, How can we continue serving together? Okaloosa County possesses an extraordinary reservoir of veteran experience, character, leadership and wisdom. Our challenge is not simply to celebrate it, but to engage it.
I firmly believe that retirement from military service does not mean retirement from significance. The uniform may hang in the closet, the rank may belong to our history and the deployments may be over. But the opportunity to lead, mentor, encourage and serve remains. Some of our greatest contributions may still lie ahead.
This Veterans Day, perhaps the greatest way we can honor our veterans is not merely to thank them for what they have done, but to invite them to help shape what our community can become. To my fellow veterans throughout Okaloosa County: Your experiences matter. Your perspective matters. And your voice deserves to be heard.
The military teaches us that every mission eventually comes to an end. But a life of purpose does not.
Perhaps the most important question we can ask this Veterans Day is not simply, What have we done with our lives? It is, What is our mission now?
An Invitation to Okaloosa County Veterans
If you’re a veteran interested in participating in a community town hall or informal gathering, I would welcome hearing from you. Let’s bring veterans together, share our experiences, and explore how we can continue serving our communities.
bruce@crosscountry3.com | dutybruce6@gmail.com | www.crosscountry3.com
