Dear Friend,
Today and every day, I join communities across New Mexico and our nation in offering sincere gratitude for our veterans for their service to our country. This year, I will be joining the community in southern New Mexico by marching in the Veterans Day Parade in Las Cruces. Few sacrifices are as selfless as those made by our military service men and women. Their unwavering devotion and extraordinary courage reflect the core principles we share as Americans.
The tradition of answering the call of duty runs deep in New Mexico’s history. From the Navajo Code Talkers and Bataan Death Marchers, to the Korean and Vietnam War GI’s, to the men and women serving today at Cannon, Holloman, Kirtland, Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, and across the world. On the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am firmly committed to ensuring that our military has the tools and resources it needs to keep our nation safe, fight terrorism, and support our allies. I will continue to fight for New Mexico’s military personnel and missions in my role on this committee.
I also firmly believe that our ability to maintain the strongest and most dedicated military force in the world depends on our nation’s ability to keep its promises to provide our veterans the best care, benefits, and opportunities they earned. I’ve fought to increase timely access to health care services for our veterans. Earlier this year, I was proud to help pass legislation to strengthen the G.I. Bill’s education benefits, bring accountability to the VA, and reduce wait times and the disability backlog. I also remain committed to improving New Mexico’s community-based outpatient clinics and securing the Veterans Choice Program to ensure our rural veterans have a real choice in accessing the health care they need.
I recently launched a quarterly Veterans Newsletter that will inform New Mexico veterans and military about how my office can assist with filing VA claims, appealing outcomes, and receiving their earned benefits. Since taking office, I have helped hundreds of New Mexico veterans and their families access their care and benefits. Whether you or a family member are experiencing trouble filing a claim, receiving benefits, accessing health benefits or military records, replacing medals, or other veterans issues, my office is here to help. Please contact my office by calling (505) 346-6601 or visit the Veterans Resources Center on my website.
We must be unwavering in our commitment to our men and women in uniform who deserve more than just words of gratitude for their sacrifice when they return home. On Veterans Day, we reaffirm our promise to care for our veterans, support our military families, and honor our men and women who continue to serve our nation.
Sincerely,
MARTIN HEINRICH
United States Senator
