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(Washington, DC) -- We come together on November 11th to remember and honor the selfless sacrifice of those who have served our country. Every American owes our veterans, both current and future, a debt of gratitude. To all those who have served, I think I speak for all of my colleagues in Congress when I say, thank you for your courage, your spirit and your strength.
When we ask our fellow Americans to serve the nation, we are making an exchange of vows: you take care of us; we will take care of you. How we keep this promise reflects on our character as a nation and as a people. Our veterans have already faced their battles on the battlefield - they should not have to engage in further combat with their own government upon their return.
Veterans Affairs (VA) services are being stretched thin by those returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the aging of our World War II, Korea and Vietnam War veterans. Democrats have acknowledged this desperate situation and have called for a plan of action. Most recently, Congress passed the Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization Act which included long-sought Democratic priorities such as: improving military readiness, providing health care for reservists, improving military pay for senior enlisted personnel and warrant officers and blocking the President's proposed increase in TRICARE pharmacy co-payments.
While the inclusion of the provisions in the final DoD Authorization bill was a great success, we must continue these campaigns in the nation's capitol to ensure that those who have fought our battles overseas do not have to carry on combat at home. To that end, I, along with 200 of my Democratic colleagues, sent a letter to the President asking that the necessary funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs be included in his FY2008 budget submission in September to see to it that we continue to provide our former service members with the care they earned.
No other group of Americans has stood stronger and braver for our democracy than our troops and veterans. We must celebrate, honor, and remember these courageous and faithful men and women. A stronger America begins at home; we must live up to our promises to the heroes who have kept our country free, safe and strong. Let us take Veterans Day not only as a day to remember those who have sacrificed so much, but to also enjoy and appreciate the freedoms that their sacrifices have provided. |
