John, I want to personally tell you Happy Veteran's Day, and thank all of my fellow veterans for their service to our country.

I enlisted in the military right after I graduated high school, and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.

A younger me, serving in the U.S. Navy.

But my family's military background goes deeper as well. My dad is a veteran of the Vietnam War, and my grandfathers were veterans of WWII.

Photos of my dad and my grandfathers in uniform.

I've experienced firsthand the sacrifices that members of our military (and their families) make to defend our democracy and nation from harm.

Before I launched my campaign for Congress, I finished serving as one of President Biden's Under Secretaries of Defense. It was the honor of a lifetime to serve our president, and to work with his administration to make improvements for our veterans.

I promise that when I get to Congress, I'll continue to stand up for veterans and make sure that they get the care they need, and the care they've earned.

To all veterans and their families: Thank you for your service,

— Gil Cisneros
Former Lt. Commander, United States Navy