On Veterans Day, Americans express their gratitude to the people who gave up years of their lives in defense of democratic freedom. But thanks offered one day out of the year is only a start. Veterans need and deserve support year-round as they face life-long challenges in civilian life.
Many veterans struggle to transition to life out of uniform. They might have difficulty finding employment that matches their skills and training. They might have physical, mental or emotional trauma to overcome. They might just need a boost to start a new life that differs from the regimented one they left behind.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., recently highlighted such challenges during a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing. She has been a longtime ally, and the first woman to serve on and to chair that committee. In 2022, she secured $37 million for a VA clinic in the Tri-Cities. About half a million veterans live in Washington, with nearly 90,000 in each of King and Pierce counties.
Now she is shining a light on crises confronting veterans. A key area of concern is education. Many veterans use the GI Bill for education after they leave the military. But that program was designed to serve unmarried, childless veterans. Those who must devote time to supporting a family too often cannot take full advantage of it.
Murray also drew attention to the Trump administration’s refusal to distribute full benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in November. She noted that 1.2 million veterans rely on SNAP benefits, about 40% of whom have disabilities.
That came after the Trump administration cut VA services earlier this year. Too many veterans fall between the cracks, and they are overrepresented among the homeless population.
America needs to do better by its veterans. President Donald Trump might hold veterans in low regard, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denigrates women and trans people who serve, but Americans know that they owe a debt to veterans that the nation can never fully repay.
On this Veterans Day, thank a vet for their service. Then, turn gratitude into action by demanding that candidates and elected officials make good on America’s promise to support them.
