Published: November 09, 2009 09:37 am      

This Week In Washington

Sunday, November 8, 2009 — “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” - President John F. Kennedy.

There are nearly 24 million Veterans of the United States Armed Services living in the United States.

This week, our nation pauses to honor their service, commitment and sacrifice in pursuit of freedom and democracy. Without the dedication of the millions of men and women who’ve served our country so courageously, we would not know the freedoms we so cherish.

The debt we owe the brave men and women who have served and are serving our country is immense. They have given an immeasurable amount of themselves in defense of our country and we must work hard to repay that debt.

Every day should be a day we honor our Veterans and it worries me that too often they and the sacrifices they have made are so easily forgotten.

We live, each and every day in a free country, the greatest democracy this world has ever known because of those who were willing to lay down their lives to secure that freedom and those who have so fiercely protected it.

My father was a World War II Veteran, and I was raised to revere and honor those who considered it an honor to protect my freedom. I

take the memory of my father and his brethren to work with me each and every day as your Congressman.

I take the care our VA medical centers provide very seriously, and I’ve been troubled by some of the reports I get about how our Veterans are being treated. Recently, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act was signed into law.

I was proud to support this important legislation which allows Congress to fund VA medical accounts a year in advance.

This allows the VA to better plan how to use its funding to meet the changing needs of our Veterans. Whether it be hiring personnel, buying extra medical equipment or developing new programs, this will provide more efficiency in the budgetary planning for the VA and improve care.

During this session, I’ve been proud to vote to improve the health care for women Veterans; provide immediate and improved support to our wounded warriors; and strengthen efforts to prevent Veterans from being homeless.

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $1.4 billion was allotted for maintenance at VA medical facilities, construction of veterans extended care facilities and cemetery repairs.

The ARRA also provided an economic stimulus payment of $250 to disabled veterans receiving VA compensation or pension.

I am proud to have introduced this year a house resolution to honor some Veterans who had previously been overlooked by history. 

This is the 30th Infantry Division and their contribution to World War II.   I also hosted a ceremony commemorating the 30th, known as Old Hickory, in August at the Old House Chamber in the State Capitol in Raleigh.

The 30th Infantry Division is the predecessor to the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team which is currently serving in Iraq.

As we honor our Veterans, please take a moment to remember the thousands of men and women in uniform actively serving this nation at home and aboard. Right now, more than 8,000 North Carolinians are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2001, more than 48,000 have participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I had the honor of visiting with our troops in Afghanistan last week. I had the distinct privilege of spending time with members of the 82nd Airborne out of Fort Bragg. Their courage and determination in completing their mission was an inspiration to me, and I could not be more proud to be their representative.

This week take a moment to thank our Veterans and active military members, along with their families, for protecting freedom and democracy for us all and remember that this is something we shouldn’t limit to one day a year.