Thank You, Heroes

As we celebrated our nation's veterans this past week, I hope we were all able to pause and count the many blessings we have in this country because of the sacrifices of others. We are fortunate to live in the United States of America, but our freedom does not come without a cost. Our liberty is hard-won by those who answered the call to serve.

Our veterans have served our country with honor, sacrificing time with family and loved ones back home. To our veterans and to the families of veterans, thank you for your service.

Those who have served our country deserve the best when they return home. This year, I was proud to vote "yes" on the bipartisan Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks (VIP) Act. This bill will give active servicemembers, veterans, and Gold Star Families free access to our national parks and forests. America is rich with beautiful National Parks, and outdoor recreation can provide incredible mental and physical health benefits. It is the least we can do as a nation to guarantee free access to these lands for veterans and their families. No one is more worthy of experiencing open access to these incredible places than the men and women who fought to keep us free and the families who made the ultimate sacrifice.

This week, and every week, take a moment to remember the men and women who fought to protect our country so that we may continue to enjoy the greatest nation in the world.