November 11th marks the anniversary of the end of “The War to End All Wars”, and it serves as a reminder that liberty and freedom don’t come free — they require valor, sacrifice and vigilance. The men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom deserve our fullest support. And it’s on us to make the most of the American Gift they have fought for.
Military service members and their families embody the American spirit and support us in everything we do. It is always a pleasure to provide welcome aid to the brave men and women who served our country because they are at the front lines of protecting and empowering us to experience life in this nation- that, while far from perfect, still provides it’s people abundant opportunity.
So let’s ask ourselves 2 things this week, and always with respect to our veteran community:
1: How do we reciprocate the gift we’ve been given from American service members?
We are all about the concept of lives not loans, so, we support U.S. veterans by helping them obtain affordable, competitive mortgages to buy homes and build their legacy. But EPM also strives to honor our servicemen and women by supporting Leashes of Valor, a non-profit that helps provide service dogs for veterans who return from combat with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries. A portion of every loan that closes supports this and other causes important to empowering American families.
As an organization that proudly employs and supports our veteran team members, we will strive to expand our recognition of the American gift within our walls. From mental health resources available to all employees to recognize and lift up their voices and the voices of the whole team to doubling our efforts to provide the leadership and growth opportunities that build empowerment within our communities from the inside; we will do what we can from within, to honor what they have fought to give us.
2: How do we make the most of the American Gift by empowering people more?
Libertad es todo! Freedom is everything. And it’s a gift we must recognize and use to its potential so that it grows within our communities and our nation. We celebrate the human spirit in action and encourage people to reflect on their stories and their legacies and to live their purpose out loud.
Businesses can’t just be about the mighty dollar. The dollars we make must be leveraged for a greater purpose, or the power that comes along with it will be fleeting and wasted. With the world as connected as it is, people want to belong to something that matters. And that’s an exciting opportunity for all Americans.
As leaders, we must share our stories and the lessons we’ve learned so that we can form connections and build our mission and vision with greater purpose. We must take our gifts and set goals to empower and give back to others because the opportunity is meant to be shared, not hoarded.
Take the time to ask yourselves these questions, and recognize our own responsibility to be part of something bigger than ourselves. And to all US veterans at home and abroad, I want to say thank you for all your service. We aim to show you that your sacrifice matters.