WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day 2024, commemorated on Monday, November 11.
“From our country’s founding until today, America has not been simply a piece of land or one people, but rather an idea. This idea of democracy rejected the historical norm of a monarchy in order to strive for a more perfect union, of the people and for the people. It’s an idea we continue to perfect to this day.
“It has been our veterans who fought and sacrificed to defend our Constitution and the rule of law, in this country and around the globe. On this Veterans Day, and every day, we thank the unyielding service of our veterans to ensure the United States of America stands as a beacon of freedom and opportunity. They fought, and many died, for something bigger than themselves.
“Maryland has a proud military history. Since the revolutionary war, Marylanders have served their nation in uniform. The Battle of Baltimore, during the War of 1812 became the inspiration for Francis Scott Key writing our national anthem. Today, our state is home to 15 military bases, from the Army’s Fort Detrick to Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Nearly 1 of every 10 adults or 400,000 family, friends and neighbors are veterans. Veterans and their families are a crucial part of our communities, and our state is better for them choosing to make Maryland their home after their time in uniform.
“After many years in Congress, one of the accomplishments that I am most proud of is passing the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act in 2022. This law is one of the most significant pieces of legislation that I have ever voted for as it fulfills our nation’s obligations to care for veterans exposed to toxic materials such as Agent Orange, burn pits, radiation, and more in the line of duty. Since the PACT Act became law, more than 5.8 million veterans have been screened for toxic exposures and more than 800,000 have enrolled in VA health care.
“Nearly 160 years after Abraham Lincoln said that we, as a nation, have a responsibility ‘to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan,’ we have honored that sacred trust and taken care of the men and women that have gone into harm’s way.
“On this Veterans Day, I ask two things of my fellow Marylanders: appreciate and act. Talk to a veteran, ask about their service, and express your gratitude. Connect your children, extended family, students, and others with a veteran so they can learn about military service and their options to serve our great country. Secondly, act in your local community and give back your time, your money, or your efforts. Whether you shop at a local business run by a veteran, hire a veteran as an employee, or donate to a local organization that supports veterans, say thank you through actions that can make a difference in the life of a veteran or their family.
“The United States of America is the world’s longest standing democracy, but our democracy currently is challenged overseas and at home. Dictators and authoritarian regimes across the globe would like nothing more than to see the end of American democracy. As an American and as a United States Senator, I will work to ensure that this nation will continue to honor the service of our brave and courageous veterans and uphold our Constitution. We must.”
