Our freedom is not free

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” This simple quote, often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, is in a sense the very essence of what our Armed Forces have fought for throughout America’s history. Americans enjoy rights and freedoms unmatched by any other nation in the world. As we mark Memorial Day and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our liberty, we must also ensure that today’s men and women in uniform have the resources they need to perform their duties.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was passed by the House of Representatives just days ago. It lays out a plan for military funding for the coming fiscal year. This strongly bipartisan measure will help strengthen and rebuild America’s military and reform the Pentagon. Our Armed Forces cannot operate effectively if the appropriate infrastructure is not in place. The NDAA specifically addresses improving readiness, and contains increased funding for training, rehabilitating and replacing worn out equipment, and getting more aircraft in the air. It also includes a 2.6 percent pay raise for our troops, the largest in nine years. I look forward to seeing this bill make its way through the Senate and to the President’s desk.

Part of providing for our troops is ensuring that our veterans have access to quality care. Earlier this month, both the House and Senate passed the VA MISSION Act, which is now on its way to becoming law. The bipartisan VA MISSION Act builds off the work done by Congress over the past several years to right the ship after serious failures within in the VA system were revealed. By streamlining the VA’s community care programs into one comprehensive operation, implementing a process for reviewing the VA’s assets to ensure veterans can access the care they have earned, strengthening the VA’s workforce through modernization and recruitment, and expanding the Family Caregiver Program to pre-9/11 veterans, we can ensure our nation’s heroes have access to high-quality health care in every community in the United States. Our veterans faithfully served us, and it’s time we serve them by providing the care they deserve.

The lives of the men and women we honor on Memorial Day were given in defense of our country. We remember the families they leave behind, and the sacrifices they have made. To all who serve, and have served, thank you. Protecting our freedoms is not an easy job, and we are truly grateful. May we never forget that our freedom is not free.