Cameron Smith

The first time I met fellow veteran Dawson Officer, we bonded over a whiskey that was smooth and subtle, with flavors of vanilla, caramel and spice. But we weren’t at a bar and didn’t even share a drink.

Instead, we were at the Oregon National Guard’s Camp Withycombe and Dawson was the keynote speaker at a conference to help veterans start, sustain and grow their businesses. A combat veteran, Dawson is also the founder and owner of 4 Spirits Distillery, a small batch operation in Adair Village.

When starting his business, Dawson was troubled that even as we had thousands serving overseas, the conflicts in the Middle East barely registered as a concern in public opinion polls.

Dawson felt compelled to act and dedicated his new business in honor of four soldiers with whom he served in the Oregon National Guard: Lt. Erik McCrae, Sgt. Justin Eyerly, Sgt. Justin Linden, and Sgt. David Roustum. Four soldiers who were his brothers in arms and gave their lives in Baghdad. He continues to give back today with a share of proceeds going to support local veteran services.

The essence of Dawson’s distillery captures the meaning of Veterans’ Day: a day where we honor military service and sacrifice, but also celebrate how veterans from the greatest generation of World War II to the latest generation of Iraq and Afghanistan continue to serve and build our communities.

At the same time, we must also have an honest appraisal of the impacts of war upon return and our shared commitment to support those who have borne the battle.

As a Marine, I spent almost two years in the sands of Iraq. When I left the military, the transition was a challenge. I missed the higher calling of a shared mission. I missed the close connections forged in the long stretches of boredom and intense adrenalin surges on deployment. I also struggled to explain to employers how I could add value.

But my experiences pale in comparison to that of many veterans who are challenged by the visible and invisible wounds of war. We must understand that those most impacted by their service have a tenacious spirit and resiliency. They deserve the best in care, resources and support as an investment in their continued leadership for our state and nation.

This Veterans Day, we will not add any new names to the state’s Afghan/Iraqi Freedom Memorial Wall in Salem. But as Dawson would remind us, we are still a nation at war, with our Armed Forces deployed around the world.

Please join me Nov. 11 in raising a toast to salute our fallen and their families, veterans of all eras, and those still in uniform serving around the world. Let us recognize them on this one day and commit to partnering throughout the year to ensure that our military, veterans and their families thrive in Oregon.

Cameron Smith served three tours in Iraq as a U.S. Marine and is the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs.