U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today released the following statement in advance of Veterans Day:

“Veterans Day is a time our country has set aside to honor all American veterans, whether they served at the Battle of the Bulge or Inchon, the Mekong Delta or Helmand Province, or kept us safe in peacetime.

“Those who have worn the uniform of the United States have been prepared to sacrifice life and limb for the sake of our people and values.  We owe them a debt of gratitude greater than we can ever pay back.  As the son and grandson of World War I and World War II veterans, I venerate this sacred obligation.

“Veterans Day is not just a holiday for current veterans.  On this day, Ohioans too should be thinking about our future veterans - today's men and women serving both overseas and at home.  We need to ensure we will give them the tools necessary to reintegrate and thrive in the civilian world once they have taken off the uniform.

“Here in Ohio, home to almost a million veterans, the sixth largest population in the United States, the men and women of the Ohio National Guard have rendered exceptional service to our country.  They have exemplified the citizen soldier that is so critical to our national security and civic spirit.

“This fall, many Guardsmen have returned home from tough deployments in Afghanistan, including the 2,100 soldiers of the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who spent a year there.  Other Guardsmen have been deployed to the Northeast to provide support to victims affected by Hurricane Sandy.  We especially remember the sacrifices of those Guardsmen who did not make it home from Afghanistan.  This holiday season, with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, we have their families in our prayers.

“God bless our vets and God bless America."