There are two major federal holidays when we honor the men and women of our nation’s armed forces. On Memorial Day, observed in May, we remember military personnel who died in the service of their country. And today, Veterans Day, we pause to pay tribute to all those who served honorably, both living and gone. Every day—but especially on this day—we should give thanks to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines from Puerto Rico who have worn the uniform of the United States military.
I have always believed that military service is extraordinary. All veterans—whether they were draftees or volunteers; whether they joined up in a time of war or a time of peace; whether they served on the front lines or in a support role, whether they fought on the beaches of Europe, in the jungles of Vietnam, or along the mountain ranges of Afghanistan—can lay their heads down at night knowing that they sacrificed for a cause greater than themselves. That they did their duty. And that they did it with honor.
President Ronald Reagan once summarized this sentiment well. In a speech to the U.S. Marine Corps, he said: “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines don’t have that problem.” I think even the most gung-ho Marine would acknowledge that President Reagan’s point applies with similar force to the other service branches as well.
There are many privileges and many responsibilities that come with the position of Resident Commissioner. But no aspect of my job is more rewarding than meeting with Puerto Rico’s soldiers and veterans. And there is nothing I take more seriously than my obligation to advocate for fair treatment for the Island’s warriors. To fight for them like they have fought for me, for you, and for all of us.
I have met many soldiers and veterans in the past three years. And through these interactions, I have found that they value deeds over words, specific actions over grand promises. The reason is not hard to discern. In the military world, because the stakes are so high, talk is cheap. So veterans, perhaps more than any other group, are unimpressed by rhetoric. They expect their elected leaders to produce results—or at least to work tirelessly towards that end.
I am proud of the record we have compiled in our fight on behalf of our military and veteran community. Since 2009, veterans’ health facilities in Puerto Rico have received more federal funding than ever before in the Island’s history. That funding includes hundreds of millions of dollars for a multi-phase renovation and expansion of the VA hospital in San Juan, including a 1,500-space parking garage. It also includes tens of millions of dollars for the construction of smaller veterans’ health clinics throughout the Island, and funding to purchase vehicles for the State Veterans’ Home—La Casa del Veterano—to be used to transport elderly veterans to family and doctor visits.
Moreover, new health facilities are scheduled to be activated in the coming years, including major construction projects in Mayagüez and Ponce. In Mayagüez, the existing facility will be replaced by a larger facility that will provide primary and specialty care, mental health, radiology and pharmacy services. In Ponce, a $60.6 million health care center will replace the existing clinic. The new center will provide many services and reduce the need for veterans in the southwest part of the Island to travel to San Juan for care.
In addition, just yesterday, the U.S. Senate approved legislation that will provide tax credits to companies that hire unemployed veterans. The House of Representatives is likely to pass the bill next week. Since this proposal was first unveiled back in August, Governor Luis Fortuño and I worked together to ensure that the benefits would be extended to veterans in Puerto Rico, over 12,000 of whom are unemployed. As a result, the bill that will soon become law includes a special provision to make these credits available to Island companies.
We have also achieved significant progress on a number of other issues of importance to Puerto Rico’s military and veteran community. In 2010, Congress approved language requiring the Department of Defense to conduct a study on the feasibility of making the health care program known as TRICARE Prime available to military retirees in Puerto Rico. We are awaiting the publication of that study, and will determine how best to proceed once we see its conclusion.
I have also been working to obtain proper recognition for Puerto Rico’s military heroes. I recently wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Army regarding the late Sergeant Modesto Cartagena, a member of the 65th Infantry Regiment. In 1951, Sergeant Cartagena was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in Korea. In my letter, I urged the Secretary to review Sergeant Cartagena’s case to determine whether an upgrade to the Medal of Honor was appropriate, and noted that it was “disquieting that, notwithstanding the Borinqueneers’ hard-earned reputation for bravery in combat, no soldier in the regiment has ever been awarded the Medal of Honor.” It is very difficult to get a medal upgraded, but I am making certain this case receives the attention it deserves.
Finally, I am working to ensure that Puerto Rico is treated more fairly with respect to admissions to the U.S. service academies. In May, the House approved my legislation to increase, from 18 to 24, the number of students that Puerto Rico is authorized to nominate to the academies.
This Veterans Day, I renew my commitment to fight for the men and women who have fought so valiantly for us. And I thank them, from the bottom of my heart, for their service.
