November 2007

Keeping Our Promises to America's Veterans...Finally

 

Dear Friend,

I've always thought the best way to honor our military veterans is simply to keep our promises to them. It's fine to make speeches about how much we owe them for their service and their sacrifice, particularly when our military is at war. But the real measure of our society is how we follow through. Are we willing to put our money where our mouth is? Because keeping our promises to veterans isn't free.

I'm proud that the new Congress under Democratic leadership has already begun to meet this obligation. We've increased veterans' health care and benefits by $5.2 billion this year, and the 2008 appropriations bill includes the largest annual increase in VA healthcare spending in the 77 year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs: $6.6 billion.

What does this commitment to improve VA healthcare mean? It means more mental health and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) services, more qualified doctors and nurses to improve medical services and reduce waiting times for appointments. For veterans with traumatic brain injury, PTSD and other mental health issues or lost limbs, it means renewed hope. For many of the 200,000 homeless veterans in America, it means the dignity of not having to sleep on the streets; it means hope for a better future. For 400,000 veterans, including combat wounded, whose benefits have been delayed for as long as six months, it means 1,800 new VA case workers to help them get needed services without additional delay.

Increased funding for veterans is a significant accomplishment, but it isn't just about dollars. It's about fulfilling a moral obligation to those who served. It's about recognizing that supporting our veterans is a real cost of war, every bit as real as guns, tanks and bullets. It is about remembering that our veterans' sacrifices don't end after they return home, and neither should our commitment to them. For some, timely care can be the differnce between health and depression; for others, the difference between life and death.

This Veterans Day, take time to honor America's soldiers, veterans and their families. On the battlefield, the military vows to leave no soldier behind. When they come home, let us pledge that we won't either.

 

Aloha,

Neil Abercrombie

Member of Congress