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Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement commemorating our veterans and their families this Veterans Day weekend:
“Veterans Day is a time to commemorate the patriotism and the sacrifices our brave men and women in uniform, and their families, have made to protect our freedom. It is a time for those of us who are the beneficiaries of their sacrifices to demonstrate how much they mean to us. And it is an opportunity for Americans to come together and show our appreciation for their enduring spirit, dedication, and willingness to serve and protect our great nation.
"However, paying homage to our veterans is not an action that should take place just once a year. On this Veterans Day, I challenge each and every South Floridian to pay tribute to our veterans throughout the year. Volunteer a few hours a week, or a month, at a local VA Hospital. Sign up to deliver meals to some of our veterans who are not mobile. Donate food and clothing to our veterans in need. Or simply spend a few hours talking to a veteran about his or her story. It is amazing what you can learn and gain by spending a few hours talking to a veteran and learning their history. You will probably benefit more from their stories than they will telling them.
"The 110th Congress has made great strides toward providing the health care and benefits our veterans and their families deserve. We are on track to pass a veterans’ bill that provides the largest increase in veterans’ health care in our nation’s history. And earlier this year, we passed a long overdue $5.2 billion health care increase that will benefit over five million veterans, including funding to help our veterans who are suffering from brain injuries and other post-traumatic stress disorders. We have also passed legislation to crack down on inadequate and unacceptable conditions at VA facilities across the nation, including Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
"But our work is far from done. I am committed, along with my colleagues in the 110th Congress, to doing everything that needs to be done to take care of veterans, especially those who have suffered life-changing illnesses while in combat, and those who gave up their jobs to serve our country. This is not a Democratic issue, or a Republican issue – this is about saluting our veterans for their service and their sacrifice, and demonstrating our gratitude. Anything less is nothing short of immoral."
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