As Veterans Day approaches, AgriNews offers sincere thank you to our rural military veterans

From the Revolutionary War to the present day, America’s military men and women have disproportionately originated from rural and agricultural backgrounds — 44% today, when only 17% of Americans reside in rural areas, according to a 2020 report of the U.S. Department of Defense.

This edition of AgriNews is steeped in gratitude for veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces for their service, both during times of war and in peace.

We are thanking veterans — many who were volunteers and many others who were drafted — for leaving their friends and families behind to risk their lives for the United States of America.

The motives of those who engage in military and agricultural livelihoods share an important commonality. They want to serve.

That service often extends from the farm field to the battlefield — and then back, growing food, fiber and fuel for the nation and world.

In addition to honoring our military veterans, this newspaper is meant to acknowledge the issues many face and highlight some of the people who are trying to help in various ways.

Despite our nation’s gratitude to the men and women who have served this country, we still have too many who are facing lifelong troubles stemming from their service. Too many live in poverty, struggling with homelessness, food insecurity or access to health care.

It is incumbent on all of us to respect our military veterans. We have benefited from their services — and from their sacrifices.

So, we bring to you stories of veterans whose backgrounds, as well as futures, are in agriculture. We also have notes of gratitude that you wrote and submitted at AgriNews-Pubs.com to specific veterans.

The entire package — more than 140 stories about veterans throughout our Shaw Media footprint — offers a wide mix of interesting and uplifting stories. Read them all online at shawlocal.com.

We hope you enjoy this special effort. If you are a veteran, or someone who loves a veteran, we hope you are honored by it.

Thank you, veterans.