18th District Congressman Darin LaHood is thanking Veterans for their service today, but said more can always be done on their behalf.
Congressman LaHood joined WLDS News Radio this morning on the A.M. conversation, and said that Washington needs to remember that the way of life Americans are accustomed to, is because of our military veterans.
“We can always do more for our veterans. When I think about today, I think about the fact that we live in the greatest country in the world, and it is only the greatest country in the world because of the sacrifice of men and women across this country and what they have given to this country, and the freedoms we enjoy, the pleasantries we enjoy, the way of life that we have, is because of our veterans.
And we should always be looking out for them, whether it is healthcare issues, or making sure they have the opportunities they deserve, whether it is the staples in life that they deserve, we need to be there for them.”
LaHood said that he feels Congress has made many strides in the support of U.S. military veterans, but that more work can be done.
“I think we have mad a lot of strong changes at the V.A. In Washington D.C., started under President Obama and completed under President Trump. That’s a positive thing but we always need to be looking to do more things because they have been there for us and we have to be there for them and today is the day to pay tribute to them.”
In response to high veteran suicide rates, Donald Trump’s first Secretary of Veterans Affairs authorized the delivery of emergency mental health services for up to ninety days to veterans with other than honorable discharges. Currently, local resident Tyson Manker is looking to expand on some of the strides made under the Obama Administration to help veterans who received “bad paper” discharges as well as expand benefits for all veterans. With four current presidential candidates in 2020 as former veterans, many strides may lie ahead for those who have served.