For Our War Heroes and Veterans

 To our Military Heroes:

I salute you.

Above all other Americans, you deserve the respect and admiration of us all. You are true Patriots; the embodiment of courage, strength and national pride. You devote yourselves unselfishly to protect our way of life, and for that you deserve our respect, admiration and thanks.

My support for you is solid and unwavering. As a member of Congress, I will never fail to make decisions designed to help you accomplish your mission, and keep you safe. National defense is, and has to remain, one of the very top priorities given the nature of the world today. If it means we have to make sacrifices for your sake, so be it; you deserve the best. You sacrifice your time, and risk your lives for us. Those you protect must understand the importance of the service you provide; without it, America, our families, and our way of life will not survive.

I understand that no one truly wants war, and that protestors have a first amendment right to voice their anti-war views. But that anger must be directed, if at all, at the politicians and leaders from whom you take your orders, and not at you. There is no excuse for failing to acknowledge that as long as we are involved in any conflict around the globe, you stand apart from politics.

Hopefully, you will return home safely once your mission or your time is done. Those of you who don’t, or who return afflicted with the ravages of war, should never be forgotten. In all instances, you deserve a hero’s welcome, and should receive all the help needed to rejoin your families and your communities. This includes medical help, support, and job placement assistance. You deserve priority in the workplace, and whatever else it takes so that you can continue to return to normalcy as rapidly, and as completely, as possible.

It’s the least we can do. And we must help you and your families, always, for any suffering and effects you sustained as a result of conflicts in which you were engaged.

Thank you for your service.