Drew Edmondson for Governor of Oklahoma

On Veterans Day, We Honor and Remember

I would like to begin this Veteran’s Day post by expressing my condolences to the families of those soldiers who lost their lives at Ft. Hood last week.  There are dozens more who were wounded and face long convalescences.  I can think of nothing worse than being the victim of an attack on a military base where our men and women in uniform rightly feel at home and the most secure, and my heart goes out to everyone affected by this horrible act of terrorism.  

My parents met in San Diego while both were serving in the Navy during WW II. I am proud to be a Navy vet myself with a tour of duty in Vietnam.  

In those days Vietnam vets were not always treated well, often facing outright hostility upon our return.  Veterans are treated with almost universal respect today, but we need to do a lot more to turn those emotions into action.  

As Attorney General I have worked to prevent veterans from becoming victims of identity theft, scam artists and other crimes.  As Governor, I will continue that work in addition to expanding job training opportunities for Oklahoma veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Last year, I fought a federal proposal to limit the amount of time veterans can spend outside of the VA center where they reside. I will use my time and influence as Governor, and as a veteran, to fight for an open door policy at these facilities, so that the men and women who have so bravely fought for freedom for all of us are themselves free to visit their own families and friends.

I will do these things because these are the ideals I believe in. I will do these things because it is right that they be done.

To my fellow service men and women, this Veteran’s Day I offer you a simple heartfelt “thank you.” In the words of President John Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”