John,

On Veterans Day, I want to talk to you about my friend and colleague, Fay.

Fay works as the Civil Rights Director for the Oregon Department of Justice. Prior to joining us at the DOJ, Fay earned her Juris Doctorate at Lewis & Clark Law School and served as a Circuit Judge in Albany, Oregon. But her commitment to community and service began long before that.

"My commitment to public service began when I enlisted in the Marines. The Marine Corps let me see the people of the world and formed in me a commitment to serve something larger than myself." Fay explained as she shared this photo with me.

Fay's service, and that of all of our Veterans, is an unparalleled beacon of courage, strength, and selflessness. Today, we stand together as one America, and renew our promises to our veterans and their families:

• Improving the VA, and ease of access to its services.
• Prioritizing the hiring of veterans as they merge into civilian life.
• Encouraging the use of the GI Bill to help veterans get an affordable, and high-quality education in our colleges and universities.

It's a distinct honor to work with Fay on advancing Civil Rights in Oregon, and an even greater honor to call her my friend.

To all of our nation's veterans: thank you for ensuring that the freedoms we enjoy every day continue on for generations. I am forever grateful for your service: Happy Veterans Day.