Congressman Pallone Statement on Veterans Day 2015

The text of Pallone’s statement follows.

“Just as the military pledges to leave no solider behind on the battlefield, Veterans Day is an opportunity to renew our commitment to leave no veteran behind when they return home. It is an opportunity to renew our commitment to the nation’s nearly 22 million veterans, including more than 30,000 in my Congressional District – and to our current troops and reservists, and their families. We must ensure that their sacrifice to our nation is never forgotten and that they have the tools they need live successful and healthy lives when their services are concluded.

“My father fought for our country during World War II, and I have gained an understanding – from him and many other veterans in my Congressional District – of the successes and challenges of our efforts to support our veterans.

“In many ways, the successes of programs designed to help veterans with the support they deserve – and have earned – are overwhelmingly positive. Thanks to Veterans Affairs, 80,000 veterans avoided foreclosure last year and 2.3 million veterans, service members and spouses are VA home loan participants as of this year. With the Post-9/11 GI Bill we enacted, nearly 1.5 million veterans and their family members have pursued their education.

“Yet, there is still much more to do.

“I am proud to be working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure the Veterans Administration no longer fails our veterans. Among other efforts, it is important that we remove the needless obstacles and complexities in the VA, as well as implement new technology to improve the VA’s health care delivery.

“We must also address the employment of veterans when they come home. Members of the armed forces who defend our safety and freedoms should not have to fight for a job here at home, which is why it is critical that we work to expand job opportunities for returning veterans.

“This day and every day, let us honor the service of our nation’s veterans and pledge to fulfill our commitment to them when they return home.

“To our veterans --- Thank you.”