Since 1919, our nation has set aside November 11thas a day to remember all those who have worn the uniform of our armed forces. So today please take time to remember and thank the veterans in our community; call a neighbor who has served, thank a grandfather who served in WWII, send a note to veteran in your life.
Today I am participating in several Veterans Day activities with students – at Excelsior Elementary School in Minnetonka and also a special ceremony at Minnetonka High School. It’s pretty neat to see our young people honoring these heroes.
Please take a minute to read my Veteran’s Day message below that was printed in the Chaska Herald. To all of Minnesota’s and America’s veterans: Thank you for your service!
As always, please feel free to contact me if I can assist you or your family in any way. And of course, join the conversation online by visiting my website, Facebook page,Twitter, and don't forget to watch my weekly video, Erik's Correspondence Corner.
Erik Paulsen
Member of Congress
Remembering President Lincoln's Words
On a muddy Pennsylvania Avenue near the United States Capitol in March of 1865, thousands of spectators gathered to hear President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address to the nation. Our country was in its final weeks of the Civil War. In just over a month, the war would come to an end. That morning, Lincoln tried to assuage the unease and bitterness four years of conflict had created and chart out the difficult task of unification which lay ahead.
In the speech’s final paragraph, the president laid out that path:
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, 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.”
On Veterans’ Day, our community comes together to reflect on those words, honoring generations of brave Americans and Minnesotans who have donned the uniform of our armed forces in defense of freedom. It is fitting that we take time this Veterans Day to remember and thank those in our community who have served and to recommit ourselves to the task Lincoln laid out nearly 148 years ago: “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.”
Minnesota is home to more than 400,000 veterans. Men and women who served on the battle fields of Europe and the Pacific; who trudged through the jungles of Vietnam; and our newest generation of veterans, who have heeded the call to service following the devastating attacks on September 11th. Remembering and thanking the families of those who wear our country’s uniform is equally as important. The family members who stay home when their loved ones go abroad do a lot to keep their household running, raising children, and caring for elderly parents and grandparents. They deserve our gratitude and care as well. Our state has a rich history of service and a history of fighting for those who have fought for us. Veterans Day helps ensure we shine a spotlight on all of their service.
But, beyond saying ‘thank you’, we must also work to help them transition back to civilian life and assist those who bear the scars of war.
Service members returning home or exiting the military often have trouble finding employment. The Minnesota National Guard is implementing new programs with a great rate of success that puts the focus on getting our veterans back to work, and I support the National Guard’s efforts. I am also a proud cosponsor of the bipartisan HIRE at HOME Act, which makes sure that those who have gained valuable experience while serving abroad as mechanics, nurses, or medical technicians, can now get their certifications in the civilian workforce much easier. Recently, I also partnered with the U.S. Army in holding a job fair to help Minnesota veterans who are looking for work connect with potential employers. The fair was a success, and we connected many veterans with companies to earn gainful employment.
Many of our returning veterans bear the scars – both seen and unseen – of war. It is imperative that we provide our service members with everything they need to heal their physical and mental wounds. One way I am helping in that effort is by ensuring that the TRICARE health care program serving Uniformed Service members remains accessible and affordable. I also supported the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill that funds medical treatment for 6.5 million patients, including traumatic brain injury treatment, suicide prevention measures, mental healthcare, and rural health initiatives.
After visiting members of our armed forces both here in Minnesota, Iraq, and Afghanistan, I can attest to their steadfast commitment and professionalism in their service to our country. When they come home, it is our turn to provide them with the care and protection they deserve.
So, as we celebrate Veterans Day, please take the time to remember the sacrifices of those who have served in our nation’s military as well as their families. If you know a veteran, make sure to say thank you; if you know someone currently deployed, write them a letter to let them know you are praying for them and their families. Though it is impossible for us to fully repay our veterans, this Veterans Day let us recommit ourselves to Lincoln’s request: “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.” To all the Minnesotans who have served and to their families, I extend my sincere appreciation and everlasting thanks.
Read entire piece online here.
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