A Message From Congressman Krishnamoorthi: Remembering Our Veterans As We Reflect On All We Are Grateful For
As we approach Thanksgiving, I hope we all reflect on what we are most grateful for, including friends, family, and the veterans who sacrificed so much for our nation. Last week, our country thanked our veterans for their bravery and commitment to our nation as we celebrated Veterans Day. I was honored to participate in several different Veterans Day events across our district, including addressing students, families, and veterans at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, as well as speaking at a dedication service of a new monument at Veterans Circle in Addison. It was a privilege to meet with so many veterans, hear their stories, and thank them for defending our democracy. President Abraham Lincoln once said, “Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.” I am happy to say that the United States is now approaching its 250th birthday, in part, because we honor our heroes and look out for them in our communities.
I also recently joined with my colleagues Congressmen Tim Walberg, Josh Gottheimer, and Brett Guthrie in introducing the bipartisan POW Priority Care Act, legislation which would reform aspects of the health care system at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure those Americans who were prisoners of war (POWs) get the care they deserve. Under the current system, POWs are eligible for health care and services in Priority Group 3. This legislation would elevate former POWs to Priority Group 1 to receive treatment sooner. It is my belief that ensuring our former POWs have early access to the health care and services they deserve is the least we can do as a country, and I hope to see this bipartisan bill move forward in the House soon.
