A few years ago, I experienced a homecoming of sorts. It wasn’t in Ohio, where I was born, educated, and now raise my family. It was in the woods of Mason County, West Virginia.
There, under the cover of bare trees and wet leaves, was the grave of my great, great grandfather, Joseph Bromley. Joseph’s life was a difficult one: born in 1826, he fought for the Union Army in the Civil War. In peacetime, he worked in the West Virginia salt mines.
To save money, his family chose not to engrave a death date on his tombstone, so we don’t know exactly when he died. However, we know that he witnessed a pivotal period in America’s history. Jacob defended this nation from the brink of dissolution. He saw his country change around him. But at the end of his life, it was his service that defined him.
I never had the chance to meet my great, great grandfather — no matter what my kids might say, I’m not that old — but we share more than just a family tree. Though we might be centuries apart, both of our lives have been shaped by service to our country.
As a member of Congress, I have had the opportunity to sit down and speak with hundreds of veterans. Their stories, and the challenges they face, run the gamut. Some drop by our Columbus office to get help claiming a service medal or working with the VA; others have flown to Washington to advocate for their fallen or injured brothers in arms. Some served in Vietnam or the Gulf War; others in Iraq and Afghanistan.
No matter their background, whenever I speak to a fellow veteran there is a glimmer of recognition that can only come from our shared service. It is what connects us to every American veteran since the Continental Army stood up to the redcoats: a willingness to give everything in service of this nation’s freedom.
No matter their background, whenever I speak to a fellow veteran there is a glimmer of recognition that can only come from our shared service.
It’s a legacy of service that I have wanted to join since childhood. When I put on my first uniform at eighteen as a student at the Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama, I took my place in a family tradition stretching back five generations.
My role as a Representative means that I have the responsibility to honor that legacy. The first step — ensuring veterans have access to the benefits they earned.
We’re working hard in Congress to make veteran benefits function more smoothly and accessibly. For example, many OH-15 veterans that contact our office are frustrated with a hard-to-navigate VA and labyrinthian record systems.
That’s why we cosponsored the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which passed the House last year. The bill will expand home and community veterans’ programs and support the family caregivers of disabled veterans.
We also cosponsored the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization Improvement Act, which will ensure that any electronic record system adopted by the VA is up to the task of providing top-tier medical care to veterans and their families.
However, as we know all too well, the legislative process can be slow, and veterans need help now. I’m proud of all our casework team has done to advocate for veterans in OH-15. Their work with the VA has returned tens of thousands to our constituents — in one case, over $100,000 in retroactive disability pay to a single veteran.
Being a veteran means being a part of something bigger than yourself. It’s a responsibility and a privilege. As a member of Congress, I’m working every day to honor that legacy by making life better for my fellow veterans. This Veterans Day, remember — it is our job to keep the tradition of service alive for generations of Americans to come.
Carey represents the 15th District of Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives. Following his graduation from East Clinton High School, he followed his family tradition of service, earning an ROTC scholarship, attending the Marion Military Institute, and serving as an officer in the military. During this time, he also earned his bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University.