Dear Friend,

I’m proud San Diego is home to so many incredible veterans, service members, and military families, and it was an honor to recognize them and their service this Veterans Day.

And an important reminder for veterans from the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and post-9/11 wars who have been exposed to toxic chemicals: don’t forget to file your PACT Act claims to receive new care and benefits. More than a million veterans have already benefited! Click here for more details.

Keep reading about how I recognized Veterans Day this year:

My Vietnam Veteran Commemorative Ceremony

It was so meaningful to host my first Vietnam War Commemoration Pinning Ceremony last week to honor local Vietnam veterans and families for their unbelievable sacrifices. 

Thank you Chief Simeon Edward Rainey, Master Chief Phyllis Barber, Specialist Fourth Class Roger Utt, Master Sergeant Teodoro Silva, and Petty Officer Second Class Karl Flores for your service – we are so grateful. 

Spending Time with Veterans in La Mesa and El Cajon, and at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial and Miramar National Cemetery 

I also joined La Mesa’s American Legion Post 282 and El Cajon’s American Legion Post 303 to recognize our community’s veterans and attended ceremonies at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial and Miramar National Cemetery.

Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much for us – for our freedom, our country, and our futures. That’s why I’m working in Congress to ensure they have the dignity, respect, and services they’ve earned and deserve. 

Recognizing LGBTQ+ Veterans

Our veterans come from all walks of life – and one thing that connects them all is their commitment to something bigger than themselves. Unfortunately, not all veterans are treated the same; LGBTQ+ veterans still face discrimination and higher rates of homelessness, lack of sufficient health care, and less access to their benefits.

That’s why I was proud to join the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony at The San Diego LGBT Community Center to recognize this year’s inductees and thank them for their service. I’ll keep working to ensure that everyone who serves our country is treated with honor, dignity, and respect, and that everyone in our country can live and love authentically. 

I hope you spent your Veterans Day recognizing the incredible sacrifices that others have made for all of us. And in Congress, I’ll keep working to ensure that we live up to the promises made to all our veterans.

Warmly,

Sara Jacobs