Op-Ed: Voting in honor of a veteran grows in popularity

Every election, Americans are asked who they will vote for. This year, we hope they will consider another question: which military veteran or member of the armed services are you honoring with your vote?

Voting in honor of a veteran and service-member is an established tradition that is rapidly growing in popularity across much of the country. This year, Vet the Vote and U.S. Vote Foundation are joining together to encourage more of our fellow citizens to participate in this patriotic program inside their own communities.

The decisions we make at the ballot box have far-reaching consequences for our communities, our country, and the world. Whether it’s a local school board election or a presidential race, your vote matters. It’s your chance to influence the direction of our nation, to stand up for the issues you care about, and to hold our leaders accountable. But more than that, voting is an act of respect for those who have served. It’s a way of saying, “I value what you’ve done for this country, and I’m committed to doing my part to ensure that the freedoms you fought for are preserved for future generations.”