Edmond Sun - Defending our Freedom, Building our Future

Op-Ed

By Representative James Lankford

We wake up every day in a country of freedom and security. These blessings were not free, and they are not guaranteed. We enjoy them today because of the incredible sacrifices made by generations of veterans. I hope you will find the opportunity this Veterans Day to thank those who have served our country both past and present.

Our veterans returning today from Iraq and Afghanistan share a common moment in history with those who served in World War Two. The members of the military who fought and served in Europe and Asia returned home while we were still suffering the horrible effects of the Great Depression. Their work ethic and can-do attitude helped start an economic boom in the 1940s and 1950s with the strength, perseverance and dedication that defined their generation. They defended our freedom overseas and transformed us into a superpower back at home. They pulled off two seemingly impossible tasks back-to-back, earning them the right to be called the "Greatest Generation."

With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan winding down, we have troops returning home daily with that same desire to restore our struggling nation. There are tens of thousands of well-trained veterans with the skills and training to perform a variety of essential jobs in our country. These men and women have an incredible work ethic and dedication that only the military can teach them; they do not know the meaning of an easy day's work. They have received first class training in engineering, machinery, aeronautics, business and many other skills. These heroes know what is required to get the job done under pressure. Today's veterans have everything the modern worker needs, and we should not let this amazing resource be underutilized.

Getting our veterans back to work is a high priority for all members of Congress. Recently, the House passed the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (VOW Act). This comprehensive legislation provides education and training opportunities for veterans to improve their skills and workplace knowledge. Similar to the post-9/11 GI Bill, the VOW Act will provide educational opportunities for veterans from past eras. There are 100,000 unemployed veterans who are eligible to receive up to one year of Montgomery GI Bill benefits to prepare them for a job search in today's environment. Each state also has the option of using up to 25% of funds to provide direct training services for veterans.

While serving in the military, our service men and women have received some of the best training in the world. This training is put to excellent use during their service, and obtaining official certifications after will help them transition their skills into the private sector. The VOW Act will help military medics, truck drivers, electricians, security, aircraft technicians and many more navigate the paperwork and red tape so that they can leave the sidelines and perform the jobs they were trained to do.

Our veterans are tremendous individuals that have made incredible sacrifices for our country. They are some of our best and brightest. They have defended our freedom, and they will now help build our future. Thank them today for their service and join me in helping these talented men and women power our economy forward.

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