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Honoring Our Veterans

November 6, 2020
Weekly Columns

Our freedom isn't free. It is fought for and earned by our veterans, and we owe each of them our thanks. This year on Veteran's Day, I encourage you to take time and thank the veterans in your life for their service to America. I'm honored to have several family members who have served, including my grandfather, Andrew Westerman, who fought in World War II. My father-in-law Clayton French and my brother-in-law Clayton (Chuck) French also both served in the Air Force, and Chuck actually wrote commentary that served as the inspiration for The Airman's Creed.

America is blessed with a rich history of service and sacrifice, and it's important that we preserve this legacy for future generations. The Library of Congress is leading the way with the Veterans History Project, in which they record and archive firsthand accounts from veterans. If you or a veteran you know would be willing to participate in this project, please reach out to my office so we can record your story!

I'm also grateful to have veterans working full-time in my district office, where they can obtain official military records for veterans, locate status updates regarding ongoing VA claims and disability cases, answer questions or concerns regarding military headstones and grave markers, and much more. To file a claim or talk with them, call my Hot Springs office at (501) 609-9796 and ask for David Witte or Hunter Hall.

On the federal level, I was pleased to see the Blue Water Navy Act go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, providing long-overdue assistance to Vietnam-era veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. Our work is far from over, however, and I'm proud to have introduced the Keeping Our Promises Act that would further expand benefits to veterans who served in the Vietnam War. I'm looking forward to getting back to normal legislative business in D.C. so we can continue advocating for the servicemen and women who fought for us.

To all veterans, today and every day: thank you for your service.

Issues:Veterans