Dear Colleague to All Members on Veterans Day

Dear Colleague,

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice brought an end to the Great War.  One year later, President Wilson proclaimed the first national commemoration of Armistice Day, with parades and public celebrations recognizing millions of American heroes of World War I.  In 1938, the Congress enshrined Armistice Day as a federal holiday – “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace” – and in 1954, the Congress renamed the holiday “Veterans Day” to honor all those who have served our nation in uniform.

Since our earliest days, and in our darkest hours, generations of brave patriots have proudly answered our nation’s call to serve: from the fields of Yorktown to the beaches of Normandy, from the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts of the Middle East.  When they come home, our veterans have blessed America with their continued service, whether in our government, in our businesses or in our communities.

Caring for our veterans has long been and must always be a unifying mission in our country.  It is with great respect for this sacred obligation that, this summer, the Congress passed and President Biden signed the PACT Act.  This landmark new law ensures that up to 3.5 million more heroes have access to the life-saving health care and benefits that they need and that they have earned.

On this day, and every day, let us renew our fervent commitment to this all-American truth: that just as the military leaves no soldier behind on the battlefield, we must leave no veteran behind when they come home.  I hope that you have a patriotic and inspiring Veterans Day, as we carry on our shared mission to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.

God bless our heroic men and women in uniform, and God bless America.

NANCY PELOSI

Speaker of the House