VETERANS

Nearly 15% of Montanans are Veterans; that is twice the percentage of service as the rest of the nation. Nearly 75% of those who have served are combat veterans. They have put their very lives at risk to protect our freedoms. John Kennedy said: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Montana Veterans have always answered the call to service.

I believe the nation has a moral obligation to provide for the basic needs of its Veterans. All service is honorable, but military service is unique in that every woman and man who wears the nation’s uniform accepts the possibility of ultimate sacrifice. The Veteran has served the nation and the nation is indebted for that service.

Veteran issues are varied and complex. They include physical and behavioral health, education, and a variety of personal and family issues.

The Veterans Administration is fraught with many problems, most significantly staffing, which a function of budget. I do not presume that as one member of Congress I will have the power to immediately fix all VA related issues, however, as a veteran myself, I will make Veterans’ issues a daily priority.

I will work with The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other organizations to provide Veterans with the services they need, the services they have earned. We need to provide for the physical and psychological well-being of our Veterans and their families. We must provide education and job training. We honor their service because they put everything on the line for us.