By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President
CLEVELAND, November 10 — On behalf of the entire Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, I offer thanks to the millions of veterans and active-duty soldiers on Veterans Day. You are the protectors of the greatest nation on earth, and your sacrifices and devotion have preserved our way of life and our freedoms for generations.
In this our 152nd year, the BLET remains proud to represent the rights and interests of military veterans who have gone on to work as Locomotive Engineers and as Trainmen. Today, our active membership consists of veterans who are part of an unbroken chain of men and women who have served this country with distinction since the time of the Civil War. Many of our earliest members fought in such battles as Bull Run, Shiloh, Antietam and Gettysburg. Our membership over the years has consisted of proud veterans who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq and Afghanistan — and today includes 75 who are currently on active duty. These members proudly carry on the traditions established by our founding fathers.
Behind every soldier who serves is a family who also serves. Please join me in thanking not only our soldiers and veterans, but their families as well. Their sacrifice deserves our praise and is part of the reason our country remains strong and free.
On behalf of the BLET Advisory Board and our 54,000 members, we thank you and we salute you. Your duty and devotion has protected our country and has secured our freedoms. God bless.