As Americans honor those who serve and have served their country in uniform on Veterans Day, I cannot help but reflect on the difference between my coming home from a deployment during the Vietnam War and the respect those who serve today receive.

Whenever I am in public wearing a Navy ballcap, I can always count on receiving any number of greetings — a “thank you for your service,” a nod of the head with a smile, or a firm handshake along with a “thank you.”

But I was recently struck by one special gesture that moved me nearly to tears. While shopping in a local grocery store in Annapolis, I was stopped by an elderly woman who was holding onto her walker. Placing her hand firmly on my arm and looking directly into my eyes, she said, “Thank you for your service. How many years did you serve?”

When I answered 31, she was a bit taken aback. I told her I appreciated her words and how very kind and thoughtful she was. Still holding my arm firmly, she said, “No. I’m not being kind. I’m being very sincere for what you’ve done to serve our country.”

As much as I and my veteran colleagues appreciate the magic words, “Thank you for your service,” the elderly lady left the comfort of her walker to go above and beyond to express her thanks. As we both returned to our shopping chores, I could not help but be moved by the woman embracing my arm and the sincere look in her eyes when she thanked me for my service. Her sincerity has remained with me.

After veterans returned from Vietnam, we didn’t receive the greetings or thanks I received that morning. Instead, my return was remembered by being spit on and cursed at. Some of my colleagues were even physically attacked.

A lot has changed since then — primarily the result of 9/11. That event galvanized our country — if only for a short time. Our nation, as we all know, is divided as it’s ever been politically. But as divided as we may be politically, our men and women who wear and have worn the uniform continue to have the respect of the citizenry.

On Veterans Day we honor every man and woman who has ever worn the uniform of our country and selflessly defended America’s security throughout our history. That history teaches us that security doesn’t just happen. It demands effort, sacrifice, courage and commitment. And yes, sometimes it means making the ultimate sacrifice.

So on Veterans Day, we salute the service of all veterans, and we also keep in our thoughts the fallen, the missing and those who today are serving in harm’s way.

What we say and do on Veterans Day, however, must be remembered the other 364 days of the year. We must remain committed to supporting our veterans every day of the year. It’s about serving them as well as they have served us and continue to serve our nation. Unfortunately, this commitment is not upheld by some of our political leaders. Instead of a commitment to our veterans, we see a commitment to the “Say-Do Concept” — saying one thing about supporting veterans and those who currently serve, but when it comes to voting and raising their hands to vote on a specific program or benefit, they don’t “do” and fail to support the program.

Please ensure our political leaders are both “sayers” and “doers” — political leaders who do what they say they are going to do and recognize those who are serving or have served. Veterans welcome the thanks they receive for their service. But they would also like their service to be recognized by receiving the benefits they have been promised. Veterans’ benefits are sacred promises we pay to our veterans as part of the cost of war and an acknowledgment of their sacrifice. Our veterans should not be political pawns or used as bill-payers.

Stated another way, it’s time for our political leaders to “either put up or shut up” — truly demonstrate their commitment to both our veterans and those currently serving by producing budgets that provide the equipment they need and the benefits they so richly deserve.

Hopefully, our next commander-in-chief will support our veterans in an appropriate manner and be a cheerleader for them and their benefits. That’s what our veterans deserve — and that’s what Americans deserve.

Tom Jurkowsky is a retired rear admiral in the U.S. Navy who served on active duty for 31 years. He has served on the board of the Military Officers Association of America, an advocacy organization supporting all those who serve or have served, along with their families.