Blog: Boswell Briefing: Honoring Our Troops and Veterans

Statement

Dear Fellow Iowan,

Every year, Americans come together to honor and remember the men and women who have gone before us while protecting our freedoms, the securities we enjoy as Americans and our democracy. Because of this, we owe them an immeasurable amount of gratitude and respect in return.

As a 20-year military veteran, this day is especially important to me and holds a special place in my heart as I remember those who I served alongside who lost their lives serving our great nation.

We owe it to those veterans and troops to keep the promises we've made by taking the necessary steps to help our military men and women find good jobs when they return home so they can provide for their families and seek out what we all strive to obtain. With some 20-percent of Iowa's returning service members unable to find a job, we have a duty to counter this, help them gain the tools they need to transition back to civilian life and continue helping this country by adding their input of hard work to our economic recovery.

We must work to achieve this, which is why I've cosponsored the Hiring Our Veterans Act, which would encourage employers to hire unemployed veterans, especially those who hire a veteran with a service-connected disability.

Just last week, I introduced a series of bills benefitting our current service members, our veterans and their families. With many military families worried about their military spouse's benefits being reduced and concerned about planning for the future, one of my bills would allow the children of career service members to receive in-state tuition at any public university or community college. These military families are moved all over the country -- even the world -- and are truly residents of the whole country, not just one state. This bill acknowledges the value of that service by making it easier for their children to afford college at a public institution.

Another important piece of legislation I introduced was the Veterans Access to Capital Act, which makes it easier for veterans to establish a small business by having better access to loans and the necessary capital for starting a business. These are just a few ways we can honor our veterans, welcome them home and help them succeed upon their return.

The military pledge states leave no soldier behind. This Memorial Day, we must honor that same pledge by doing everything we can to ensure our veterans have the opportunities to have a good job, work hard, and take part in the American Dream.

God bless you, God bless our men and women in uniform and God bless the United States of America.

Sincerely,

Leonard L. Boswell
Member of Congress

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