Column: Reflecting on Veterans Day

I joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1981 and proudly served for 27 years, retiring in 2009 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Since first putting on the uniform as a recruit at Fort Jackson, it has been an honor to stand alongside the greatest men and women our country has to offer.  Although I have now taken off that uniform, the hardships faced, and the lessons learned still guide me as I represent you in Congress.

This Veterans’ Day, we must continue to remember what unites us as a nation, rather than what divides us. As history has shown, the spirit of patriotism and our shared desire to protect our fundamental rights has never failed. Just as the American flag stood firm over Fort McHenry after the relentless pounding of British artillery in 1814, our steadfast dedication to what makes us the “United” States remains steadfast in our hearts, minds, and across the world today.

Veterans and their families have sacrificed so much to preserve and defend the freedoms we hold dear. This day of reflection is about those who answered the call to ensure that the ideals of “Old Glory” be sustained. Freedom is not free, and those who chose to defend our flag often come home with injuries or trauma that will never fully heal. We must never take that for granted.

As a veteran in Congress, it has been a privilege to be a voice for those who served. This past term we achieved a great deal of wins for our veteran community. The most notable being the passage of the PACT Act, a bipartisan bill which delivered to 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans the benefits and healthcare they deserve. Additionally, we passed bills such as the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act, which will provide more community-based care to veterans diagnosed with mental health issues, and the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, which ensures disability and indemnity compensation continue to increase alongside inflation, putting more money in the pockets of our veterans and their families.

We as a country must ensure our veterans have the treatment, the support, and the resources they need to upon exiting service. That starts in Congress and extends to the communities they call home. It is my hope that we maintain the same momentum we generated the past two years when the new Congress begins in January.

This Veterans’ Day, I hope you will remember how blessed we are as a nation because of the selfless service of our military veterans. Thank you to all our nation’s veterans for your service and have a happy Veterans’ Day.