Hoyer Honors America's Veterans
“Each Veterans Day, the citizens of this country pay tribute to the brave men and women who have honorably served our nation and those who have laid down their lives in defense of America’s freedoms. We are the beneficiaries of their courage, their sacrifice, and their vigilance, and the debt owed to them is immeasurable.
“Veterans Day serves as a reminder of all that we owe America’s 24 million veterans, 136,000 who are living in Maryland and 38,000 who are our family, friends and neighbors here in Southern Maryland.
“As we continue to be engaged in hostilities abroad, we also remember those who remain in service far from America’s shores. On this Veterans Day, let us support and honor our courageous troops currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere across the globe, who are the veterans of tomorrow.
“And let us remember with somber reverence those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This Veterans Day, our thoughts and prayers grace the memory of the fallen - 3,800 in Iraq, 450 in Afghanistan and 77 from our State of Maryland.
“In honoring all of America’s veterans, this Congress has made it a priority to fulfill the nation’s promises to those who have served. At present, we are on course to enact a veterans’ bill that provides the largest increase in veterans’ health care in our nation’s history.
"This historic investment follows a $5.2 billion health care increase for more than five million veterans, including funds to treat veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. This year we also passed the Wounded Warriors Assistance Act to address revelations of inadequate care for our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and facilities nationwide.
“We are also upholding our pledge to support our troops and their families in the bipartisan Defense bill that we hope will become law soon. The measure increases military pay by 3.5 percent and makes progress in ending the Military Families Tax on survivor benefits and the Disabled Veterans Tax on retirement benefits for combat-related military disabled retirees.
“In the first year of the 110th Congress, we have made great progress in providing a new direction in keeping our promises to our nation’s veterans. Our work, however, is far from done. We must and we will continue working to provide benefits for our veterans that are demonstrative of our gratitude for their sacrifices.
“The veterans of this country - to whom we owe so much - have fulfilled their duties bravely and honorably, and they deserve nothing less than the support of a nation that recognizes the heroic deeds they have undertaken to protect and promote the freedoms all Americans enjoy.
“On this Veterans Day, let us show appreciation to our brave veterans and soldiers who have answered the call of duty. Although we can never adequately repay them for their service and sacrifice, we can humbly salute them with all the honor that a grateful nation can bestow.”
###