[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 192 (Tuesday, November 2, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1185-E1186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CELEBRATING VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER MEIJER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 2, 2021

  Mr. MEIJER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor our nation's 
veterans and help shine a light on the struggles they continue to face 
after returning home from their service in uniform. I want to thank my 
colleague from Michigan for giving us this opportunity to speak here 
today.
  With Veterans Day just around the corner, it is important that all 
Americans take time to reflect on the sacrifices these courageous men 
and women, and their families, have made for the United States. This is 
a solemn occasion when we come together as a country to appreciate the 
selfless service and celebrate the bravery of these heroes.
  I have had many conversations with veterans in my district about the 
challenges they continue to face once they have returned home. Many 
have been longstanding for generations: the physical and emotional 
wounds

[[Page E1186]]

of combat, obstacles in accessing VA care and benefits, and 
debilitating health conditions resulting from exposure to burn pits and 
other toxic hazards.
  But recently, there has been an increased call to address other, less 
talked about challenges, including the mental health impacts of 
processing what we all witnessed in Afghanistan over the last few 
months.
  I am proud to have joined my colleagues in leading several bipartisan 
pieces of legislation to help address some of these challenges, but 
there is much more to be done. We have an urgent moral obligation to 
take care of the men and women who have served and sacrificed to defend 
our nation, and I am committed to continuing this crucial work with my 
colleagues here in Congress.
  Today, I want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to all 
of our nation's veterans, and I encourage all Americans to reach out to 
veterans in their life and let them know that they are valued and that 
they are not alone. We will never forget those who have answered the 
call to serve this country in uniform, and we honor them all here 
today.