Freedom in the United States of America is only extended from one generation to the next by the men and women in the uniform of our Armed Forces. Through some periods, these brave Americans were drafted to serve, and in other periods like this modern era, brave Americans volunteer to serve our country in uniform. By putting their very life and limb between threats to our way of life and our civilian population and standing in the gap on our behalf, they become veterans - our greatest citizens and finest patriots.

Congress has the responsibility to ensure adequate support for our nation’s veterans. What an honor it’s been since last Veterans Day to serve in Congress as the lead Republican on the House Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the military construction and veterans affairs at nearly $50 billion worth of veterans’ benefits each year. Throughout the year, I have heard from our veteran community and the service organizations about their needs. We have worked on the Subcommittee to reform the veterans’ health care system and the delivery of veterans’ health benefits from local outpatient clinics to hospitals and inpatient care.

It’s been an amazing opportunity for me to really serve those who serve us in uniform. It is the greatest honor and highest privilege of my professional life. I am so encouraged to support veterans and to call my fellow citizens, and the Tennesseans I represent, to a constant appreciation of the incredible sacrifices of our veterans and their families. The Third Congressional District is home to more than 65,000 veterans. And there are many more extraordinary patriots who do so much for all of our citizenry here throughout East Tennessee.

So on Veterans Day, I honor each and every veteran who has already left this earth and those that are still among us from every generation: those from the Greatest Generation - World War II and Korean War veterans, Vietnam veterans, Desert Storm veterans, veterans from a host of other deployments and those who are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We thank these volunteer fighters for our country who are willing to stand up and defend our way of life to the next generation. We honor them on Veterans Day and every day.