I have felt called to serve our nation from a very young age, and have been honored to serve first in uniform and now as a member of the United States House of Representatives.
Having served in the United States Army and Army Reserves, Veterans Day is more than another federal holiday. It provides everyone in our nation — both servicemembers and civilians — an opportunity to honor those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms.
I enlisted when I was 18, but my two older brothers had already served; the eldest was a Green Beret and the younger went to Vietnam. As a military family, we saw how they were shunned and mistreated. This only reinforced my commitment to support our servicemembers.
It made Veterans Day even more significant — veterans gathering together, able to understand what one another endured, even without exchanging words, and being appreciated by other veterans and their family members for their willingness to sacrifice everything to protect our nation.
As we transitioned to an all-volunteer military, Veterans Day has become even more important. Young people and those who have not served can be inspired and motivated to serve our great nation. They can also get a more accurate picture of the humility and selflessness of our veterans, and the constant refrain from them that it is an honor to have served.
“I am equally honored to acknowledge the gift our veterans have given to us and our nation and to represent them as a fellow veteran in an exemplary manner.”
Additionally, military service provides our young men and women with valuable life skills that cannot be taught, only learned — a balance of humility and confidence, loyalty, problem solving skills, and even organization and time management.
I am equally honored to acknowledge the gift our veterans have given to us and our nation and to represent them as a fellow veteran in an exemplary manner.
As I continue my service in Congress, I have made protecting veterans one of my top priorities. I’m proud to serve on the Health Subcommittee of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and I firmly believe care for veterans should be more efficient, more effective, and more accessible. In addition to improving care, I also believe that it’s crucial to expand resources available to veterans as they transition to civilian life.
Let’s continue to grow awareness and support for our men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform and the great attributes that they continue to bring to their communities when no longer in uniform.
As we recognize Veterans Day this year, I challenge everyone to reflect on the sacrifices our servicemembers have made to protect our great nation. No matter the branch in which they served, active duty or reserves, our men and women in uniform have devoted their lives to preserving the freedoms our Constitution affords us.
I am proud of my service, and as we join together to recognize our veterans, I hope others will be inspired to serve.
It has truly been the most rewarding experience of my career.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks represents the 2nd District of Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives. She enlisted in the United States Army at 18, where she served for 24 years as a private, nurse, and doctor.