On Veterans Day, we express gratitude for the many sacrifices that the men and women who have bravely served our country, as well as their families, have made for our nation and our freedom. America’s security and prosperity rely on the selfless service of our heroes in uniform, and we must never forget that freedom is not free. It is earned by those who place themselves in harm’s way for us.
North Carolina is well known as a very military-friendly state with so many active-duty military service members and veterans who live here. I am proud that so many of our veterans call the Third District home. It is my privilege and honor to represent over 76,000 veterans and some of our nation’s finest warfighters, including those serving at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and New River.
We must remember not only our veterans who put their lives on the line for our country, but also their families, who played an enormous role in supporting their loved ones. I come from a Navy family and understand the great personal sacrifices that must be made to lead a life of military service. The sleepless nights and missed holidays during duty, and the difficulties that follow upon retirement, are immense burdens that deserve our recognition and action out of Washington.
In Congress, I serve on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, where I have the opportunity to be an advocate for you. I am proud to have introduced the bipartisan Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act to deliver long-overdue justice to those harmed by contaminated water during their service. Additionally, I am also encouraged by the momentum behind my bill to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy to veterans suffering from PTSD and TBIs, the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act. I firmly believe that as a physician-scientist that this life-saving treatment must be offered to our veterans who do not respond to other forms of therapy.
Make no mistake, we must do better in fulfilling our promises to our veterans. As a physician, I am particularly focused on improving timely access to high-quality healthcare. Over $100 billion in taxpayer dollars is allocated annually to VA medical care to take care of those who served our nation. Yet, many still struggle to receive the services they need. Addressing this tragic failure has been a chief priority of mine since coming to Congress, and I am grateful for the commitment of President Trump and Secretary Collins to work to remedy this crisis.
Veterans Day is a special time for our nation to reflect on our blessings, appreciate those who served our nation, and recommit to delivering on our promises to them. Without our veterans, we would not be able to enjoy the freedom and prosperity we are afforded as Americans. It is my honor to be a strong voice for our veteran community and their families in Washington, and I will never stop fighting on their behalf.