On the morning of September 11th, 2001, I was in the cockpit jumpseat of a TWA 767 about to push back from the gate at Los Angeles International Airport for the flight to St. Louis when the call came to remain in place and then to disembark our passengers because all U.S. airspace had just been closed. I emerged from the jetway to find passengers gathered around television monitors at the gate. We all watched in horror as the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed, and I realized two things instantly: My airline career would be on hold for a while, and the Marine Corps would have something for me to do in the not-too-distant future. I could not have predicted at the time that the events of that day would lead me to service as an infantry platoon commander in Iraq. Months earlier, I had finished my final active-duty tour as a CH-53D helicopter pilot. I had yet to join Kilo Company, Third Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines out of Memphis, the unit with which I would deploy to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Considering my service flying Marine helicopters around the Hawaiian Islands, it may seem counterintuitive, but I look back more fondly on those hot months of foot patrols in the Iraqi heat without access to such niceties as air conditioning, mattresses, or port-a-johns. During our exit physicals at the end of that deployment, we were given a long list of things to mark off if we believed we had been exposed to them. One box we were all instructed to mark said “airborne fecal matter.” Apparently, the you-know-what had really hit the fan while we were there. My time in Iraq left me with an even deeper appreciation for the camaraderie and sacrifice shared among those who serve. It also opened my eyes to the profound responsibilities we bear as a nation to care for those who have been willing to go in harm’s way. “Land of the free because of the brave” t-shirts and “Support our troops” bumper stickers are nice, but the responsibility to care for our veterans extends beyond platitudes; it requires tangible support and comprehensive policies addressing the myriad challenges veterans face, from healthcare to job placement. Congress can and has done things to improve the lives of our military veterans. In 2022, they passed the PACT Act, which extended VA health care to veterans who had served in certain combat zones where they were exposed to “airborne fecal matter” and other toxins. Because of that legislation, all of the Marines in Kilo company are eligible for VA health care regardless of their disability status. Of course, Congress didn’t pass the bill unanimously. Eighty-eight Republicans in the House voted against it, many of them from the so-called Freedom Caucus, including Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Jim Jordan. And we all know that if the Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, these are the kinds of Republicans who will be in control, and any useful legislation for anyone will never make it to the floor. This is the crux of the problem. Congress, particularly the Republicans who tout their patriotism the loudest, have repeatedly failed our veterans. They voted against the PACT Act, a bill that could literally save servicemembers’ lives. How can they wrap themselves in the flag and yet abandon the people who defend it? Their words ring hollow when their votes betray the very principles they claim to uphold.
If elected, I will fight to ensure that every veteran receives the healthcare and support they deserve. I will work to eliminate the bureaucratic barriers that delay care and benefits. Veterans should not have to battle for the services they’ve earned. I will also push for mental health services that address the invisible wounds of war, ensuring our veterans have the support they need to thrive in civilian life. But my vision extends beyond healthcare. I will advocate for job training programs that help veterans transition smoothly into the civilian workforce. I will support policies that ensure affordable housing and access to education for veterans and their families. This is not just about honoring our commitments; it’s about building a society that values and supports those who have sacrificed for our freedoms. We need a Congress that puts people over politics and action over empty promises. We need leaders who believe that “officers eat last” and who understand that true leadership means putting the needs of others first. Together, we can bring this change to Washington. We can hold our leaders accountable and ensure they live up to the promises they make. I ask for your support in this campaign. Together, we can make a difference. We can create a government that truly serves its people, starting with those who have served us so selflessly. Let’s build a future where no veteran is left behind. Join me in this mission. Your support can turn the tide and bring about the change we desperately need in Washington. Let’s honor our veterans not just with words, but with actions that speak louder. |
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