A Veteran's Reflections on Veteran's Day

By Rachel Scher McLean / Posted on November 11th, 2011

Veteran Randy Cook, leads the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance during dedication ceremony on 10/21/11 for the first two houses being built at VA Illiana Health Care System. These are the first two houses VA has built with other VA’s in the process.

Randy Cook, a veteran who will be moving into Freedom House on 11/29/11, at VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville, Illinois, served in the Army from 1976-96. He was a Sgt in the army, and he served our county in Desert Storm. He took a moment to share a few thoughts, on Veteran’s Day:

How would you describe a good day? How do you think The Green House homes will support you in this?
Knowing I am safe because others after me are now standing watch. I can’t wait to move into Freedom House. The house is beautiful and I am so excited and proud I was selected to live in Freedom House. It is a wonderful place for me and my fellow Veterans that I will be living with.

What is the message you would like to share with future generation about Veteran’s Day?
To have a special day like Veterans Day to recognize Veterans such as myself is very rewarding. This day should never be taken for granted. Men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country to have the freedoms we have today. Hopefully people will take a moment to reflect how fortunate we are in America because of what our Veterans have done and what our military today are doing.

Julie Sanders, Shahbaz shows Veteran Randy Cook through Freedom House after dedication ceremony held on 10/21/11.