Hello --

Today, I’m thinking about the promise of America, and the meaning of public service as we honor the men and women who volunteer to defend our nation, our values, and our freedom at home and abroad.

We owe each and every one of them, as well as their families, an enormous debt of gratitude.

The selflessness in which all of our military men and women serve is what makes them so special.

They enlist not knowing if they will go off to some far-off land. They serve, not knowing if they will see combat. They deploy, not knowing if they will return home. They fight for us, not knowing if they will return with visible or invisible scars.

With veterans and their families sacrificing so much for our rights and freedoms, it is our solemn obligation as a nation to ensure their health and well-being. It is on all of us to give them all the comfort of certainty when they do come home and return to civilian life.

We must ensure they are given access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, mental health services, education and job training, and business opportunities.

I am proud to say that the very first bill I introduced in the House was a bipartisan measure to ensure that small, veteran-owned businesses and the veteran families that rely on the business, are not upended after the passing of a service-disabled veteran, irrespective of the percentage of the veteran's disability.

It’s the right thing to do and I’m pleased to share that the House will vote on it next week. I urge Congress to pass it so the President can sign this legislation into law.

So, as we pause to remember those who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation, we must also rededicate ourselves to fighting for our veterans each and every day.

That’s how we can live up to the sacrifices of those who have given so much to keep our country safe.

Thank you,

Antonio Delgado