Service beyond self: Huntsville veterans reflect on America’s 250th anniversary

Today, the United States celebrates its 250th birthday. As the nation reflects on the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the enduring promise of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Americans are also considering the ideals that have shaped the country across generations.

To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the Huntsville Business Journal interviewed four local veterans about what this milestone means in light of their military service.

Through their reflections, common themes emerged: leadership, sacrifice, community, the American dream, and the ideal of service for the common good.

Mission and Teamwork

Retired U.S. Army Major General Paulette Risher served 34 years in the Army. She later led Huntsville-based Still Serving Veterans as CEO from summer 2019 to spring of 2023.

When considering the lessons military service taught her, Risher pointed to the power of a shared mission.

Risher described the impact of this military bond as significant and as an example of, “… what can be accomplished when a group of diverse people focused on a common mission, willing to set aside their personal preferences and comfort and, to have each other’s back in good times and bad.”

Contemplating America’s 250th anniversary and the role veterans play in the story of our country, Risher noted that a sense of common purpose has endured throughout the nation’s history. 

“These have been the lived values of military service across our nation’s history and are as important today as they were at the founding of the nation,” Risher said. 

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Joseph M. Cosumano Jr. commanded the U.S. Army Space Command and SMDC. He remains a respected leader in Huntsville’s defense community.

Cosumano said that his military service taught him an important lesson: few things in life are done without some type of help from someone else. 

“It taught me the most important thing that I think is applicable to just about everyone, and that is you don’t do many things by yourself,” he shared. 

“It’s always a team. Particularly in the service, each person has the other’s back and contributes to the final goal or mission. The team is only as strong as its weakest link,” Cosumano said.

Service Beyond the Uniform

Retired Navy Rear Admiral Rich Landolt, president and CEO of Still Serving Veterans, served more than three decades in the U.S. Navy. Today, he continues serving the veteran community by helping former service members transition into civilian careers.

Landolt said veterans continue to play a key role in Huntsville’s growth and success long after their military careers end.

“They also see the defense industry here and think there is a future for them where there might not be elsewhere. Our numbers show that in the last five years, SSV has helped Veterans secure over 7,000 jobs. To me, it’s safe to say that without veterans, this community would not be nearly as strong as it is,” Landolt said. 

The American Experiment

Retired U.S. Army Major General Jeffrey Kramer spent more than 35 years in the Army and spent the last three of his final four assignments overseas. 

Kramer says that during those deployments, as the senior American officer in both Jordan and the Netherlands, he carried a responsibility to represent the nation well. 

“In both nations, I remained keenly aware of the leadership role of the United States, and that it was my responsibility to represent not only my service, but also the stature of the U.S.,” Kramer said.

For Cosumano, military service strengthened his appreciation for democracy and the sacrifices required to preserve it.

“Patriotism is believing in something greater than yourself and becoming part of that commitment to, in our case, the United States of America and this experiment … called democracy. It’s lasted for 250 years, which is probably longer than many other democracies throughout history. This is primarily because of the sacrifices that you have to make to maintain democracy and the freedoms that we enjoy in the U.S.,” Cosumano said. 

Risher reflected on both the obstacles and opportunities America contends with in the years ahead.

“Since its founding, our nation has faced countless significant challenges, including wars, social division, technological disruption, and an ever-changing and often hostile global geopolitical landscape. As we enter our 250th year as a nation, these challenges are even more pressing, and the stakes are even higher,” Risher said. 

Risher continued, “However, I am hopeful that we as a nation, as a world power, and as a people can truly establish ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’ as a human norm for our species.”

What’s Next for America

Despite the challenges facing the nation, Cosumano is still optimistic about America’s future.

“I’m hopeful that the American dream is still alive. I see it every day. When I visit military bases and talk to young, enlisted soldiers, you can see in their eyes that they have a purpose and, most of all, an opportunity to fulfill their dreams. I think that spirit is still alive in the American dream. That’s what keeps me hopeful even at age 80,” Cosumano said.

America’s 250th anniversary is not only a moment to reflect on the past, but also an opportunity to consider the responsibility each generation bears in shaping the future.