Honoring All Those Who Have Served in our Armed Services

Honoring All Those Who Have Served in our Armed Services
November 4, 2005

Since 1926, November 11th has been the day officially set aside by the federal government to honor and remember all those who have served in the Armed Forces to protect our freedoms and liberty. Originally known as Armistice Day, to honor the heroes of World War I, and then renamed Veterans Day in 1954 when President Dwight Eisenhower, a veteran and the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces that won World War II, signed the first Veterans Day proclamation. Since 1954, every November 11th is a day set aside to honor and remember all the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

With America's Armed Forces continuing to serve bravely and risking harm to help keep our country safer and bring democracy to the Middle East, Veterans Day has added significance during these times.

In the 2000 census, there were over 60,000 veterans in Ohio's Third Congressional District. That is why it was significant when at the beginning of this year I received an appointment to serve on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. During my first term in Congress, serving on the House Armed Services Committee provided me with opportunities to advocate for Wright Patterson Air Force Base and members of the Armed Forces. Working on the House Veterans Affairs Committee has become another excellent platform to further the interests of veterans here in Ohio and nationwide. I've had some exceptional moments and experiences with soldiers and veterans, here in the District as well as overseas, during the past year.

Here at home, I hosted Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson at the Dayton Veterans Medical Center (DVMC). The tour of the facility allowed the Secretary to become familiar with the Dayton VA, and see firsthand the high level of services and standards that area veterans have come to expect from the DVMC. Secretary Nicholson and I also discussed the future plans for continued excellent service for the next generation of our nation's veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

There were many highly emotional moments as veterans and their families told Secretary Nicholson about their personal experiences at the Dayton Veterans Medical Center. We met veterans whose service went back as far as World War II and Korea and others who had served recently in Iraq. Secretary Nicholson said that he was impressed with what he heard from the veterans who use the facility and what he saw from the professionals who make the DVMC a high quality institution.

The Secretary and I also had an opportunity to meet with Guy Richardson, the new Director of the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Mr. Richardson has expressed his commitment to serving the needs of all veterans in the community. I am also pleased that he understands that ensuring that the nursing home facility at the Dayton VAMC does not cut back services and that all patients receiving full-time care there will be able to remain there indefinitely. This has been a key concern in our local community and for me personally. I am hopeful that with Mr. Richardson's help, the nursing home is an issue we will not have to revisit.

Some of the most memorable moments I have experienced, since being elected to Congress, have been during overseas trips visiting with active duty soldiers. In the past year I have met with U.S. soldiers in Iraqi, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kuwait. Every time I have the opportunity to speak with active members of the armed forces, I am reminded that the troops are clear and secure in their purpose. They are well trained and well equipped to complete their difficult assignments. During each meeting they impressed me with their determination to do their work defending America, and helping establish permanent stability in the Middle East.

Among the most difficult responsibilities of a Congressional representative is to meet with soldiers and families of the casualties of war. Offering comfort and honoring, the service, sacrifices, and contributions of every man and woman who has worn a United States military uniform is the purpose of Veterans Day. Please join me on November 11, Veterans Day, by thanking all veterans for their courageousness and remembering all those who have worn a U.S. military uniform during our country's great history.

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/11.04.05.shtml