Ed. Note: This letter was written on and refers to events that occurred on Veterans Day. Nov. 11.

Dear Veterans:

I regret that I am not at home to celebrate this Veterans Day with you.  During this past week, I have spent time with our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in Iraq and Afghanistan and met with members of our intelligence community in Pakistan.  Today, I am at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany spending this meaningful day with our troops who were wounded in battle, sacrificing their own safety and well-being to defend and protect our freedoms.  On this momentous day, it is a true honor and a privilege to be able to tell these valiant men and women in person, “thank you for your service.”

This week, in my travels to downrange hostile areas of operation, I have been surrounded by our active duty troops, including activated Reservists and National Guardsmen from my district.  Our courageous personnel have bravely carried out dangerous missions for nearly a decade in this region, and they continue to fulfill our nation’s security needs honorably and with unmatched morale and enthusiasm. 

In my official capacity as a Homeland Security Committee Chairman and member of the Foreign Affairs Middle East Subcommittee, my mission is to assess Iraq’s ability to prosper after our troops exit Dec. 31, and to assess our advances against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.  In Pakistan, it remains unclear exactly what their government knew about Osama Bin Laden’s compound.

Veterans Day is a time for Americans to be filled with pride and humility for the ultimate sacrifice our heroes have made in serving our nation to guarantee our freedoms.  My father courageously flew B-17’s in WWII and I am still humbled by the risks and dangers that he endured with each mission in taking the fight to Nazi Germany.  He represented a great generation who believed in handing down a better America.  Our service members fight for our country today to provide an even better tomorrow.

As we gather to honor veterans, we rise above politics and disagreement and recognize the actions of those who have served.  America’s troops remain in all areas of the world bringing freedom, peace and democracy to broken lands.  Few causes are as worthy or as great as rising to the call of our nation.

Armistice Day was originally established in 1919 to honor those Americans who severed in World War I.  President Wilson proclaimed the day to be "filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory."  In 1954 Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to remember those who served in all conflicts so their memories and contributions will live on.  We stop to revere their commitment and sacrifices to our nation and to celebrate their pride and service in protecting our country, our people and our American way of life.

Therefore, I encourage each of you to reflect on these values and what they mean to our nation, and to honor the worthy sacrifices of America’s Veterans.  God bless each of you and God Bless those who have served in the Armed Forces of our great nation.

Sincerely,

Michael T. McCaul

Member of Congress

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed