Purdy is the founder and CEO of The Chamberlain Network, an organization that empowers veterans to defend democracy in their communities. He served in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2012.
Veterans Day is a time when our country pauses to recognize the extraordinary sacrifices made by those of us who wore the uniform. But for many veterans, this day brings mixed emotions. On the one hand, we’re grateful that our nation honors our service. On the other, many of us don't think we should receive any special recognition - we just did our duty. For us, service isn’t something in our past — it’s a calling that continues. Veterans don’t want thanks; we want to keep serving. And for many of us, that means protecting the very democracy we swore to defend.
For those of us in the post-9/11 generation, this commitment is especially strong. We volunteered, understanding the risks, knowing that deployment was likely. And now we’ve come home and our time in uniform has ended, we find that call to service endures. Today, that commitment lives on in a new mission: protecting democracy here at home, in the communities in which we live.
Veterans across the country are stepping up to lead efforts that strengthen our democratic institutions. Through organizations like The Chamberlain Network, we’re addressing some of the most urgent challenges facing our country: political polarization, the erosion of public trust and the rise of authoritarian impulses that threaten the rule of law. At The Chamberlain Network, we believe the best way to honor veterans is to support us as we protect the democratic ideals we served to uphold.
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Veterans as Trusted Defenders of Democracy
Many of us have served in places where basic freedoms are rare, where people have little control over their own future. That experience gives us a profound respect for democracy and its freedoms — and a deep commitment to defend them here at home.
I remember this feeling vividly from my time in Iraq, where sectarian violence had torn the country apart. People we met often felt a deep sense of hopelessness. It was a difficult thing to witness, but it made me realize why democracy — the rule of law, free and fair elections, the peaceful resolution of conflict — is so precious and worth protecting.
In the United States, veterans are some of the most trusted voices in our communities. When we speak about civic engagement, building bridges and defending democratic principles, people listen. Our service has earned us credibility and trust, and we want to use that trust to inspire others to see democracy as something worth safeguarding.
Organizing Veterans to Lead Locally
At The Chamberlain Network, we are focused on organizing veterans to protect democracy where it matters most: in our own communities. Democracy doesn’t just live in Washington, D.C. — it lives in our neighborhoods, schools and local institutions. We can’t always control what happens at the national level, but we can make an impact where we live. By equipping veterans with the tools they need to engage locally, we are building a coalition of leaders who are ready to stand up for democratic values on the ground.
Veterans bring resilience, skills and a spirit of service to this work. With the right support, we can counter division, encourage participation and inspire our neighbors to engage in democracy. By empowering us to lead in our own towns and neighborhoods, The Chamberlain Network is creating a force for democracy that’s nimble, responsive and prepared to meet today’s challenges.
Veteran-Led Democracy Work Needs Support
This Veterans Day, honoring veterans means more than saying “thank you.” Many of us don’t seek gratitude — we seek purpose. We have a complicated relationship with this day because we don’t see service as something that ended when we took off the uniform. The work we do through organizations like The Chamberlain Network allows us to keep serving, to continue fulfilling the oath we took. But to make a real impact, this work requires resources.
For many veterans, service is woven into who we are — it’s a calling that persists, shaping our lives long after we take off the uniform. This Veterans Day is a reminder that our commitment to the country and to democracy endures. We don’t seek recognition or gratitude; we seek opportunities to keep making a difference. Supporting these efforts means empowering veterans to fulfill that drive — to continue serving and to strengthen the foundations of democracy we all depend on.
