The voter turnout in this year’s presidential election was truly astounding.

With votes still being counted, turnout in the 2020 presidential election has hit a 50-year high, exceeding the record set by the 2008 presidential election of Barack Obama — an extraordinary engagement in a sharply divided nation. As of Monday,  148 million votes have been tallied, with Democrat Joe Biden winning more than 75 million — the highest number for a presidential candidate in history. President Donald Trump received more than 70 million — the highest total for a losing candidate.

People braved long lines for the opportunity to vote, both on Election Day, and in the days of early voting. The extraordinary turnout reflects a fundamental freedom that we often take for granted.

Veteran’s Day, is a perfect time to thank those most responsible to ensure that freedom – those who have served in our military and who have fought to preserve our many freedoms.

The Constitution of the United States is something we all take for granted — our right to say what we please, our right to have a trial by jury of your peers in front of witnesses, our right for women to vote and the right to not be put to death by firing squad or something far more cruel.

And the most important word in that statement is the word “right.” It’s not your privilege, it’s your right. It’s your right as a legal American citizen to pursue life, liberty and the American dream.

Our servicemen and women put their life on the line and put themselves in harm’s way just so the rest of us can pursue that American dream.

So whether it’s an Air National Guard reservist on his or her way to work at the Stewart ANG base, or a veteran selling poppies at the local grocery store, be sure to stop and say “thank you.”