Team,

Today, we pay our respect to all the men and women who’ve served our nation. We honor veterans from generations past. We welcome a new generation of veterans back into civilian life. And we thank our future veterans, still serving at home and abroad.

Veterans Day is a time to honor and appreciate all servicemen and servicewomen who have selflessly fought and pledged their lives to secure the many freedoms that we enjoy today. Our veterans come from all walks of life. They are our friends, neighbors, relatives, and colleagues, who stand next to us every day, trading one uniform and set of responsibilities for another. Because of this – we make our thankfulness known – for our veterans rose to the challenge to defend and protect our country.

I would also like to acknowledge the families who remained behind to fight their own private battles. For every soldier we call upon, there remains a community of spouses, children, and loved ones who must also answer a special call of duty. You are the backbone of our service members. So, to those military families, you, along with your soldier, are heroes of this country.

To veterans who hail from the U.S. Virgin Islands, and all other U.S. territories – this year marks another year that you are deprived of an electoral vote for President of the United States; the Commander-and-Chief of the military that you proudly served in. One more year where you don’t have a senator, much less, a representative with full voting rights.

In addition to voting rights, we as a combined Congress have held true to our belief that toxic exposure – is a cost of war. Earlier this year, I voted to pass the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. This critical legislation seeks to address the issues impacting our veterans’ access to – earned – benefits and care.

Additionally, over the years, veterans in the Virgin Islands have voiced their discontent and have fought endlessly for better healthcare and treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs. I am proud to say that, earlier this year, I successfully advocated for an amendment to the PACT Act, which now requires the Government Accountability Office to study the state of access and barriers to benefits and services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans across the territories.

I want you to know that I see you; I hear you, and I am actively working to address the matters that are most important to you – our nation's heroes. That is why, as the representative for the Virgin Island, I am committed to fighting for the voting rights and needs of our servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

Let us show appreciation and respect for our veterans. Let’s hear their stories. Let’s help those who need it. And let’s honor our veterans by creating new opportunities for them to contribute after their service.

May God bless all who served and still do. And may God bless the United States of America.

Thank you,

Rep. Stacey Plaskett