Veterans Day 2009

As a nation, we have always prospered thanks to average citizens willing to stand up and answer the call to serve in our hours of need. Our national resolve has been expressed by the millions who have worn the cloth of our nation, taking up arms against those who wish to do us harm. Today, we honor all our nation’s veterans, past and present, for their unyielding sacrifice and dedication to our great nation.

First observed as “Armistice Day” in 1919 to commemorate the end World War I, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially renamed it Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize all who had served nobly in defense of freedom.

This year, Veterans Day falls at a time of many national challenges—both on the homefront and abroad—unlike any in our history.  The Global War on Terrorism is a long-term struggle that has sent our troops to every corner of the world.  To say the least, the obstacles have been trying and the dangers have been real. 
But thanks to the professionalism and valor of today’s military men and women, progress is being made.

While securing our freedoms, our military continues to bring the fight to our enemies, simultaneously fostering peace and good will among those who crave freedom. We recently handed control of major cities back over to the Iraqis and the battle against the Taliban in Afghanistan rages on. Though significant challenges lie ahead before stability returns to these areas, the brave men and women serving continue to prove time and again that our professional military is up to the task. 

The same dedication we witness in today’s endeavors has preserved America in the toughest of times throughout our history.  Whether in peace or at war, the important role of our veterans cannot be denied.  They’re men and women from all walks of life—young and old; rich and poor.  But they share one thing in common—a love for this great country.

In return for their many sacrifices, these brave individuals ask very little.  And thus, it falls to an indebted nation to meet their selflessness with thankfulness.

In the coming year, AMVETS must recommit itself to honoring the sacrifices of our veterans. We must mobilize our membership to get out and serve those who have served; whether it’s visiting our veterans’ and military hospitals, or working with the citizen-soldiers of the National Guard in our own communities. We all must make a concerted effort to ensure the actions of all veterans are appropriately remembered and appreciated.

It’s time we—as a nation—take the proper steps to renew our commitment to those who made a commitment to America. We must ensure that the VA has the proper resources to do its job. We must not hear of veterans waiting years to receive their benefits and we must not hear of veterans being turned away in their hour of need.

Thankfully, we have made significant progress. Last month, AMVETS leaders in Washington joined the President and leaders in Congress for the signing of the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009—a historic bill that finally allows Congress to finance VA health care one year in advance. This signing was the culmination of 13 years of hard work by AMVETS and the veterans’ community to ensure timely, sufficient, and predictable funding of the VA. However, the work is not done. This year, the VA budget is once again late, which means AMVETS must continue to press Congress to pass a budget containing advance VA funding, or all our hard work will mean nothing.

We cannot tolerate the further rationing of care for our veterans who have had to wait for funds for 20 of the last 23 years. The VA needs the proper resources to ensure that their workforce can accomplish its mission. Advance appropriations, which is now law, will ensure that VA has the resources to properly plan in the long term, implementing new programs and hiring key staff. To the average veteran, this means shorter wait times for appointments, shorter lines at the VA, and the top-notch care and state-of-the-art procedures that they have earned.

In the summer, VA rolled out the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, fulfilling the promise of a quality education to our newest generation of veterans. This landmark bill will honor the service of our heroes by affording them a monumental opportunity to succeed.

Unfortunately, initial implementation on an ambitious timeline led to some hiccups for student-veterans. AMVETS, which called attention to these issues early on, worked with VA to come up with solutions. Though some problems persist as VA works out the new benefit, we’re happy to report that many student veterans have either received their benefits, or will receive them in the coming weeks thanks to the hard work of the veterans’ community. AMVETS still believes that this remarkable benefit for veterans and even now their loved ones will help to create the next generation of veteran leadership for our great nation.

As you can see, we have made tremendous strides over the last year, working to improve the lives of American veterans and honoring the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes and their loved ones. However, much work remains.

Today, we see more female combat veterans returning from the front lines than ever before, and we must ensure that the VA is prepared to meet their needs. We see veterans struggling to find work in a tough economy once they leave active duty. We continue to see veterans of all conflicts coping with the invisible wounds of war. AMVETS has made all of these top priorities both in Washington and across the country. “Veterans serving veterans”—this is the mission of AMVETS. One we take very seriously and one from which we must never waver.

For no matter where or when our veterans have served, they’ve always served with distinction.  Service to country is a bridge over which more than 38 million Americans have passed during wartime alone.  It was built on courage, dedication and patriotism—keystones in our American way of life.           

So on this Veterans Day, there is much to commemorate, and much to be thankful for.  It is true—America remains strong and free.  But we would never have come this far without the heroes we honor today: America’s veterans.

Today we have the privilege of honoring these very special Americans whose sacrifices and service are based in tradition that predates even the founding of our Republic.  We owe a great deal.  First and foremost, we owe them our freedom. And today, especially, we owe them our gratitude.

Thank you—and God Bless America.