Ripon Forum


Vol. 55, No. 5

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In this edition

For the third year in a row, The Ripon Forum is dedicating an entire edition to the Veterans Day holiday and those brave men and women who risked their lives in defense of America.   

VA Update: Our Work for Veterans is Never Done

Our country made a binding pact with our servicemembers. Upholding our end of the bargain is a moral obligation.

Equipping Our Veterans for the Next Season of Service

Too many of these servicemembers struggle to have their talents fully understood and utilized amidst transitioning back to civilian life.

Burn Pits Cannot be the Next Agent Orange

Otherwise-healthy veterans are suffering from uncommon cancers that may be result of exposure to open-air burn pits. The time for action is now.

“You kept us safe. You did your duty.”

Members of the United States military have done more to liberate humankind from oppression and tyranny … than any other force in human history.

“We honor veterans’ service and sacrifice for this great nation.”

There is something incredibly unique about those who sacrifice so much to serve our country – who choose to run towards conflict in the name of freedom.

“There is no greater calling than service to country”

There is no greater calling than service to one’s nation. And if there’s one thing veterans understand, it is that service never stops.

“We remember and honor the sacrifices, both large and small.”

At one point in every veteran’s life, they made the tough decision to leave behind the comforts of home to fight for a cause bigger than themselves.

More Needs to Be Done to Meet the Mental Health Challenges Facing Veterans

Transitioning from active duty brings many challenges and mental health stressors.

How Veterans View the U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Like the public, they are deeply divided along party lines.

We Said We’d Never Forget: Will We?

For the first time in 20 years, we celebrate Veterans Day in relative peace.

“We honor veterans’ service and sacrifice for this great nation.”

Veterans Day is a day to remember our veterans, past and present, for their service to this country. I was 20 years old when planes struck the Twin Towers in September of 2001. Only weeks after 9/11, I landed in Afghanistan. At that time, I couldn’t even point out Afghanistan on the map, and now I had the opportunity to see the world for the first time. I went on to serve several tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Asia. After two decades, I retired as Master Chief Petty Officer. The same young man who enlisted without a high school degree, or even knowing how to swim, retired at the highest enlisted rank within the Navy. 

Growing up, my grandfather, Jesus Antonio Pena, was my hero. He only had an 8th grade education but went on to serve in World War II. He shared stories with me about how the Army taught him bravery and camaraderie. I was only a credit shy of graduating high school when he passed away. I was completely devastated, which persuaded me to make the decision to drop out and enlist in the Navy at 18.  

I take this day to spend time with my fellow veterans and remember those who are no longer with us.

My grandfather emblemized my first understanding as to what our military sacrifices, the importance of our veterans, and the characteristics our servicemembers, past and present, uphold. I continue to be influenced every day by my fellow veterans around me, including my wife, Angel. Angel served eight years in the Air Force and now is a commissioned officer in the Naval Reserves. She represents one of the strongest groups within our veteran community – our female veterans. Women within our military face their own set of unique challenges, both in the field and at home, and yet serve at the same caliber as our men in uniform.

Every year on November 11, we honor veterans’ service and sacrifice for this great nation. There is something incredibly unique about those who sacrifice so much to serve our country – who choose to run towards conflict in the name of freedom. On Veterans Day, I take this day to spend time with my fellow veterans and remember those who are no longer with us. This day also serves as a reminder for the unwavering support system I have with those who served with me. The bond that you get with the people you serve alongside can never be replaced.

When it comes to matters that affect our military, veterans and national security, there are some things you can’t learn in a book – you have to live it.

I work to foster this same sense of camaraderie every day in Congress to devise real solutions for the American people. I believe having veterans both in office and as staff is incredibly important. When it comes to matters that affect our military, veterans and national security, there are some things you can’t learn in a book – you have to live it. 

That’s why I believe it is critical for me to provide insight from my experiences to help further meaningful legislation. I use my seat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs to advocate for federal funding to be responsibly allocated towards the VA and ensure our veterans receive the care they earned. Within my district specifically, I secured $1 million in funding for the Del Rio Tiny Homes for Veterans Project, to construct and maintain temporary homes for veterans currently suffering from homelessness. I also was able to secure $22 million for a new Child Development Center at Lackland Air Force Base and $150 million for a new Veterans Health Care Center in El Paso. 

 I want to thank every brave man and woman that has served our country selflessly so that we can live free. I encourage everyone to take a moment to thank a veteran they may know today and every day.

Tony Gonzales represents the 23rd district of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives where he serves on the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Congressman Gonzales served in the U.S. Navy from 1999 to 2019 where he was a cryptologist and rose to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. He also served several tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Asia.