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 | “What Veterans Day Means to Me”Three lawmakers reflect on their military service and what this special day means to them… |
| | “It’s a Day When I Reflect Upon What Made My Own Service so Meaningful.” |
| | | Across our nation this Veterans Day, Americans will thank veterans for their service. Some will offer words of gratitude. Others will shake a hand or pick up the tab for a vet or service member in uniform. We cherish and revere our veterans because we know they’re willing to do what many aren’t—at a minimum, sacrificing time with their families when duty calls, traveling to far-off lands in defense of freedom and |
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| the American ideal. It can also include giving the last full measure of devotion – their lives, for which we pay tribute on Memorial Day.
For me, Veterans Day represents more than simply a day on the calendar to recognize those who wore the uniform. It’s a day when I reflect upon what made my own service so meaningful, because truthfully, I received so much more than I gave. On Veterans Day, I’m reminded how weighty it was as a young midshipman to be part of something much larger than myself, to join the ranks of so many brave warriors before me. I’m reminded of the invaluable lessons I learned about leadership and the gains we can make when we put unity, duty, and service above self.
As a smalltown kid from Florida, I was impacted profoundly on Induction Day at the Naval Academy. My squad included an African American from Opelika, Alabama, a Polish American from the Bronx, a Mexican American from Fort Worth, the son of an academy grad killed in Vietnam from Maine, another from San Francisco, and all points in between. We came from all walks of life—northerners and southerners; cities, suburbs and farms; rich and poor. We had different accents, backgrounds, and worldviews. But by the end of that first day, we all shared something in common. With shaven heads and fresh uniforms, we each swore the same oath to support and defend the United States. In that moment, our differences faded away.
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| | “Being a Veteran Means Being a Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself.” |
| | | A few years ago, I experienced a homecoming of sorts. It wasn’t in Ohio, where I was born, educated, and now raise my family. It was in the woods of Mason County, West Virginia. |
| There, under the cover of bare trees and wet leaves, was the grave of my great, great grandfather, Joseph Bromley. |
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| Joseph’s life was a difficult one: born in 1826, he fought for the Union Army in the Civil War. In peacetime, he worked in the West Virginia salt mines.
To save money, his family chose not to engrave a death date on his tombstone, so we don’t know exactly when he died. However, we know that he witnessed a pivotal period in America’s history. Jacob defended this nation from the brink of dissolution. He saw his country change around him. But at the end of his life, it was his service that defined him.
I never had the chance to meet my great, great grandfather — no matter what my kids might say, I’m not that old — but we share more than just a family tree. Though we might be centuries apart, both of our lives have been shaped by service to our country.
As a member of Congress, I have had the opportunity to sit down and speak with hundreds of veterans. Their stories, and the challenges they face, run the gamut. Some drop by our Columbus office to get help claiming a service medal or working with the VA; others have flown to Washington to advocate for their fallen or injured brothers in arms. Some served in Vietnam or the Gulf War; others in Iraq and Afghanistan.
No matter their background, whenever I speak to a fellow veteran there is a glimmer of recognition that can only come from our shared service. It is what connects us to every American veteran since the Continental Army stood up to the redcoats: a willingness to give everything in service of this nation’s freedom.
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| | “Honoring Our Brothers and Sisters Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice.” |
| | | As Veterans Day approaches, I’m filled with gratitude for the brave men and women who’ve proudly worn our nation’s uniform. As a combat veteran myself, I know the sacrifices made, the courage shown, and the dedication it takes to serve. For veterans like me, this day is not just about looking back on our own service, but about honoring our brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice. |
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| It’s not just the deployments or the battles we face in the field — it’s the battles we face within when we come back that we must continue to fight. The transition back to civilian life is often the toughest fight of all. That’s why our support for veterans can’t end with just a thank you once a year. It’s important we show up every day and fight for them, the same way they fought for us and our freedom.
Our veterans deserve access to top-tier healthcare, mental health services, and opportunities to succeed in civilian life. In Congress, I’ve worked hard to make sure they get exactly that. We’ve made real progress this year with legislation focused on improving VA care and giving veterans more resources to combat PTSD and other mental health challenges. But the mission is far from over.
For every veteran who makes a smooth transition, there’s another still struggling to find their footing. Veterans need better support to bridge that gap — to make sure no veteran is left behind. That means expanding mental health care, breaking down the stigma around innovative solutions like psychedelic therapies, and creating job opportunities that match the skills veterans bring home.
When it comes to taking care of our veterans, we can’t rely on the same old approaches. Since coming to Congress, it has been a top priority of mine to effect change in the mental health space. As someone who’s seen firsthand the toll combat takes and has experienced the healing from psychedelic therapy, I understand that traditional methods don’t always work for everyone. There is simply no ‘one-size fits all’ approach. That’s why I’m pushing hard to bring innovative treatments to the forefront. These emerging therapies are game changers that can provide veterans with an additional tool they can use to truly recover.
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| The Ripon Forum is published six times a year by The Ripon Society, a public policy organization that was founded in 1962 and takes its name from the town where the Republican Party was born in 1854 –Ripon, Wisconsin. One of the main goals of The Ripon Society is to promote the ideas and principles that have made America great and contributed to the GOP’s success. These ideas include keeping our nation secure, keeping taxes low and having a federal government that is smaller, smarter and more accountable to the people. |
| | | | The Ripon Society is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia. It is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to section 501 (c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Ripon Society does not make contributions or expenditures to influence elections. In addition, The Ripon Society does not engage in other election activities, including voter registration, voter identification, get-out-the-vote activity, or generic campaign activity, collectively referred to as "federal election activity" in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. Donations from corporations, organizations or individuals are accepted. |
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