VIDEO: Senator Peters Releases Statement Ahead of Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Armed Services Committee and former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, released a video to honor Veterans Day.

"Each year, Veterans Day provides us with an opportunity to pause and reflect on the generations of Michiganders and Americans who, throughout our history, have answered the call to defend our democracy, our freedoms, and the American ideals we all hold dear," said Senator Peters. "On Veterans Day, we recognize the selfless and patriotic Americans who served in our Armed Forces, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country."

Click here for video of his remarks and see below the text as delivered:

"Each year, Veterans Day provides us with an opportunity to pause and reflect on the generations of Michiganders and Americans who, throughout our history, have answered the call to defend our democracy, our freedoms, and the American ideals we all hold dear.

"On Veterans Day, we recognize the selfless and patriotic Americans who served in our Armed Forces, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

"All Americans share a sacred obligation to support our veterans and their families - both during their deployment and long after their service ends.

"We have a responsibility to ensure veterans have access to the benefits they have earned as part of their service, including access to quality health care, education, and workforce opportunities, and a dignified burial.

"This core belief has been instilled in me my whole life. My father was a World War II veteran. His service inspired me to join the U.S. Navy Reserve, where I was honored to serve alongside dedicated men and women, and eventually rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

"That experience has stayed with me throughout my entire career in public service, and it is something I think about every day when I go to work for the people of this great state. Supporting our servicemembers and veterans should be the cornerstone of our work as elected officials.

"So once again, to all of our veterans, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. I will never stop working to fulfill the promises we made to you and to your families.

"God bless you, God bless all of those currently serving, and God bless the United States of America."

As the son of a World War II veteran and a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Peters is committed to supporting our nation's servicemembers and veterans. In 2021, Peters was inducted into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor for his efforts to support our nation's veterans and military. In 2017, Peters was recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Vietnam Veterans of America for authoring the bipartisan Fairness for Veterans Act, which was signed into law as part of the national defense bill. The legislation requires veteran discharge review boards to give liberal consideration to petitions for honorable discharge status if the servicemember has been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, or other related conditions connected to their military service. In 2022, Peters helped enact the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act - which delivered VA health care and benefits to all generations of toxic-exposed veterans and their survivors for the first time in our nation's history.

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