by Representative Carolyn Dykema
11/9/2009

A Day to Thank Our Veterans

Whether your schedule finds you working, doing errands or enjoying a day with family, please make the time to thank a veteran on Veteran’s Day. 

This Veteran’s Day, take a moment to reflect on our daily freedoms and remember the men and women willing sacrifice everything to protect them. Today we’re reminded that the American ideals we celebrate on the 4th of July are only possible because of those who risk all to defend them.  

One of the most important ways to thank our veterans is by providing support and opportunity when they return home.  As a member of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, I was proud to represent our district and join my colleagues last week to pass legislation to do just that. The legislation will create opportunity for returning veterans by giving disabled veteran-owned businesses a leg up in competing for state contracts. It will make some military training transferable for state certification requirements. The legislation also creates a Commonwealth Medal of Liberty to honor Massachusetts service members killed in action. There is plenty of work to be done to fulfill our duty to veterans, but this legislation is an important step forward.  Its passage honors Massachusetts veterans of every generation.

From the war of our independence to today’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Commonwealth’s soldiers have answered the call to protect us and our liberties. They and their families continue to make enormous sacrifices on our behalf and today we express our gratitude and our thanks.