Honoring our Commitments to our Veterans
"...to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."
--President Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address (1865)

All of us owe a profound debt of gratitude to our veterans and their families, whenever they served, for they have borne the true cost of service. As a former military spouse who is now proud to call my husband "veteran," I know the personal cost is high for all, but incredibly high for some. 

Veterans need more than words of thanks. They have spent time away from their families and friends, away from their communities and jobs.  They've had to miss births and weddings and funerals, and they have missed the comforts of home and the support of loved ones.  They've battled loneliness and many have also been in combat and may now battle Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and other physical and mental challenges.  Many veterans return to civilian life with missing limbs or with health conditions or injuries that need treatment, sometimes chronically. 

We owe them more than a thank you.  We owe them their benefits.  We owe them care for their medical problems, and we owe them financial and emotional support.  We owe veterans a friendly, welcoming hand when they apply for veterans' benefits.

• Improving Quality of Life and Benefits for Veterans
  While serving you in the 110th Congress, I have supported legislation to improve the quality of life for veterans.
• Working for a Full-Service Veterans Hospital or Full Local Access to Medical Care for NH Veterans
  Access to full-service in-state medical care is essential to provide the health care benefits owed to New Hampshire veterans.