John, today is Veterans Day – and I wanted to take a moment to commemorate this day with you.

I know the sacrifices, courage and unyielding dedication it takes to serve our nation all too well. My father, Garvin A. Tutt, was a lieutenant colonel in the Army who served in both WWII and the Korean War.

My father was a proud military man, and when I think of him, I immediately picture him in his uniform. He served 25 years in the U.S. Army and retired from the Presidio in San Francisco as head of the communications center.  

My father instilled the values of duty, honor and the importance of standing up for what's right. And these values have governed every moment of my life – from when I was just a teen and integrated my high school girl's cheer squad to being the only congressperson to vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001.

And it's those values that encouraged me to run for the Senate – because this campaign isn't just about me. It's about honoring my parents and the sacrifices they made for me and continuing their legacy for a fairer, more just America.

John, today and every day, I'm proud to call myself the child of a veteran. I've seen firsthand the amount of sacrifice and dedication it takes to serve our nation, and today, I'm honoring both my father and veterans across our nation. 

Thank you for taking the time to reflect on this day with me

– Barbara