Monday, November 10, 2014

Sam Graves: Remember those who have served and sacrificed

(From Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves)

“A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers,” President John F. Kennedy once said. This Veteran’s Day, we once again reveal the character of this great nation by pausing to honor and remember the tremendous courage and sacrifice of those who have served in our armed forces.

The freedoms we enjoy here at home are made possible by the men and women who volunteer to put themselves in harm’s way to defend liberty. They have kept their commitment to us; I believe we must keep our commitment to them. Those individuals who selflessly serve our country in the military have earned the right to quality care, and their families deserve the peace of mind in knowing they will get it. We must ensure that caring for our veterans is a top priority.

I am proud to have voted for the Veterans' Access to Care Act, earlier this year. This legislation, which the president signed into law, allows veterans who live over 40 miles from a VA facility or have experienced extensive wait times to choose a non-VA hospital. This means it will be easier for veterans living in northern Missouri to access quality care from a hospital or clinic in their area in a timely manner. The free market reforms in this bill give veterans the ability to choose private hospitals if needed.

As Americans, we have a duty to remember and care for all of those who have served this country and carried the banner of freedom. I hope that you will join me in pausing to remember all of those that have served and sacrificed for this great country. 

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