By Jason Stverak
The Deeper Meaning Of Veterans Day
Each Veterans Day, Americans pause to honor those who wore the uniform. Beyond parades and ceremonies, the day calls us to reflect on what service truly means. U.S. Air Force Capt. Carson Kennedy captured it well during a recent ceremony, noting that veterans’ “commitment to something greater than themselves is a reminder of the values we hold as a community: duty, honor and service”.
The freedoms we enjoy “are not free,” bought by sacrifice and sustained by a spirit of serving others. Veterans Day isn’t just about remembering past battles; as Capt. Kennedy said, “the courage and commitment of our veterans are not just stories of the past, they are living examples of what it means to contribute to a cause greater than oneself”. In other words, Veterans Day celebrates a living legacy of service that continues to inspire and guide us.
For those of us who work every day on behalf of military members and their families, this deeper meaning gives purpose to our advocacy. It reminds us why we fight so hard for the military community. We know that honoring veterans must go beyond words—it must translate into action that supports them and their families. This belief is at the heart of everything we do at the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) and within defense credit unions nationwide. Our guiding principle is simple: serve those who serve our country. On Veterans Day especially, we recommit to that mission with passion and purpose.
Service In Uniform And Beyond
If there is one thing veterans exemplify, it’s that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. I’m reminded of retired Navy Engineman First Class Steven McFann, who served 20 years in the Navy and then continued to serve in civilian life. After retiring, McFann felt called to volunteer at a VA clinic in Charleston—helping fellow veterans with check-ins, wheelchair support, and a friendly smile. This year, his dedication was recognized in a special way: he was named Grand Marshal of Charleston’s Veterans Day Parade, an honor that “means more to me than anyone could know,” McFann said. For him, being Grand Marshal is not about personal accolades; it’s about representing the sacrifices of all veterans and carrying on a family legacy of military service.
What strikes me about McFann’s story is his humility. “I just felt that giving my time and energy to help my brother and sister Veterans was what God wanted me to do,” he explained, calling his volunteer work “a blessing to me more than any job I’ve ever had”. Here is a veteran who, after decades of military service, still finds his greatest purpose in helping others. He embodies the notion that service is a lifelong mission. As one VA staff member put it, McFann “has a genuine interest and passion to serve those who have served”. And when he rides in the parade, he does so with pride knowing that “every Veteran matters… your sacrifice hasn’t gone unnoticed. America is still proud of you”.
Stories like McFann’s are not unique. All across the country, veterans continue to serve in their communities—mentoring youth, leading volunteer projects, and lending a hand in times of disaster. This year alone, hundreds of veterans have “returned to service” as volunteers with Team Rubicon, deploying to over a hundred disaster relief operations in 2023. They find camaraderie and renewed purpose in these missions. One Marine Corps veteran described how difficult the transition to civilian life can be—“it’s a very lonely world outside of the military” for those who miss the sense of community and higher calling. By volunteering and engaging in community service, these veterans rebuild that sense of camaraderie and continue living by the values they learned in uniform. As one veteran put it, after all the country has given him, he is “taking the opportunity to try and pay back where I can” now that he’s retired. This ethic of giving back is exactly what Veterans Day celebrates. It’s a day to honor not just the years a soldier or sailor spent in active duty, but the lifetime of leadership, character, and community impact that flows from their service.
DCUC: Serving Those Who Serve
The Defense Credit Union Council was founded on this same core value: service. Our mission is “to champion the interests of America’s credit unions serving our military and veteran communities”. In practical terms, that means we support over 200 defense-focused credit unions, which collectively serve more than 40 million members (including service members, veterans, and their families). These credit unions understand the unique challenges of military life—from frequent relocations and deployments to the transition back to civilian life. And they share a common purpose: to be a financial home for those who serve our nation.
At DCUC, we often say that credit unions exist to help people, not to profit from them. Nowhere is that more true than in the defense credit union community. As DCUC President Anthony Hernandez recently noted, “Credit unions have always been a source of stability for military families, especially during times of uncertainty… demonstrating the credit union difference—people helping people—ensuring those who defend our nation have the financial support they deserve”. This “people helping people” philosophy isn’t a slogan; it’s our daily mandate. We know that when a young service member is far from home, or a military spouse is juggling family finances during a deployment, having a trustworthy financial partner matters. Defense credit unions strive to be that partner, providing affordable loans, low fees, financial education, and compassionate service tailored to the military lifestyle.
Jason Stverak
Our mission in action can be seen in a few key areas:
- Financial Wellness and Education: DCUC works to ensure military families have the tools for financial success. We’ve partnered with experts (including the VA) to create guides like the Veterans Guide: Understanding Your Benefits, which offers veterans and their families valuable guidance for making informed financial decisions. We also publish a Veterans Home Buying Guide to help veterans navigate the complexities of purchasing a home with confidence. These resources reinforce the value of working with member-owned credit unions that understand veteran concerns and are committed to their well-being. Beyond publications, many defense credit unions offer financial literacy classes, deployment budgeting assistance, and counseling services. It’s all part of ensuring those who served are empowered in their personal finances, so they can focus on what matters most.
- Community Support and “People Helping People”: Beyond policy battles, DCUC and our member credit unions focus on directly supporting the military community at a grassroots level. During the government shutdown, for example, defense credit unions across the country stepped up immediately. Many offered short-term 0% interest loans, waived overdraft or late fees, and provided personalized financial assistance to military members and federal employees facing missed paychecks. They did this not because anyone mandated it, but because it’s simply part of who we are. When crisis strikes—whether a natural disaster hitting a military town or an economic hardship—credit unions respond with compassion and solutions. This year’s shutdown was a powerful reminder: while we push Congress for systemic fixes, we also rely on our community institutions to show flexibility and heart. The credit union difference was on full display as “people helping people” – keeping our service members and veterans from financial free-fall in a tough time. The same spirit extends year-round through programs like relief funds for Gold Star families, scholarship programs for military kids, and partnerships like the Veterans Benefits Banking Program which helps veterans access VA benefits safely and affordably. Each initiative, big or small, reinforces a culture of service within our credit union movement.
- Advocacy and Protection: A crucial part of DCUC’s role is giving military members and veterans a voice in Washington. We advocate for policies that protect our troops and their families from financial harm. For instance, during the recent federal government shutdown, DCUC urged Congress to safeguard servicemembers’ pay and credit. In a letter to lawmakers, I stressed that “those who defend our nation deserve financial certainty and should never be used as bargaining chips in a budget standoff”. We fight for things like this because no military family should have to worry about feeding their kids or paying the bills due to political gridlock. As I wrote in that letter, “no family serving our nation should have to depend on emergency loans or charity to put food on the table during a political impasse”. Our service members secure our nation’s safety; it’s our duty to secure their financial stability in return. Whether it’s defending the Military Lending Act (which shields military borrowers from predatory loans) or ensuring veterans receive the benefits they were promised, DCUC stands guard on these issues every day. Advocacy is how we continue to serve those who served, translating respect into tangible protections and opportunities.
Honoring Service, Inspiring Action
Working with defense credit unions, I am constantly inspired by the men and women we serve. Their stories – of sacrifice in war, of continued service in peace – fuel our passion to advocate and support them. Veterans Day crystallizes this inspiration. It’s a day that makes my heart swell with pride, much like Steven McFann felt seeing his community come together to honor veterans: “To see the community come together to honor our Vets makes my heart swell,” he said. “Today, we’re seen. We’re appreciated”. That appreciation is something we should carry not just for one day, but every day.
As we honor America’s veterans, let’s also reflect on how we can serve them and their families. Whether you’re a financial professional, a neighbor, a friend or family member of a vet, ask yourself: How can I give back? It could be as simple as reaching out to a veteran and truly listening, or as systemic as supporting organizations that fight for veterans’ well-being. Instead of only saying “thank you for your service,” we can follow the advice of veterans themselves – show gratitude through action. Volunteer alongside veterans in a community project. Mentor a military spouse or transitioning servicemember in your industry. Advocate for policies that improve veterans’ lives. Even choosing to bank with a member-owned credit union that supports military causes is a small step that strengthens the community.
My call to action this Veterans Day is that we all embrace service as a core value in our own lives. The veterans we honor have shown us the way. They answered the call to serve our country, and many continue serving in new ways at home. Their example challenges us to contribute to something greater than ourselves – to, in Capt. Kennedy’s words, “use [their] inspiration… to make our world a better place”. At DCUC, this challenge is what drives us every single day. We will keep fighting on Capitol Hill, in our communities, and wherever we’re needed, to ensure that those who gave so much for this nation receive the support, respect, and opportunities they deserve.
Veterans Day reminds us why we do this work. It renews our sense of purpose and gratitude. By celebrating the immense value of service – both in uniform and through the ongoing support of others – we reaffirm our commitment to serve those who serve. In doing so, we honor the true spirit of Veterans Day not just with words of thanks, but with deeds that make a difference. This is how we ensure that the legacy of our veterans’ service lives on: through our own willingness to serve in turn, with passion, integrity, and purpose.
On this Veterans Day and every day, may we remember that service is more than a single act or time in one’s life – it is a lifelong mission and a sacred trust. And may we all find ways to uphold that trust, standing alongside our military families as firmly as they have stood for us. Thank you for joining us in this mission of service.
Jason Stverak is Chief Advocacy Officer at the Defense Credit Union Council.