As we go about our daily lives, it’s easy to forget there are thousands of men and women fighting to defend our freedom and security every single day.
Published July 4, 2010
By REP. ERIC CANTOR
Virginia Pilot
In December, with Congress in the midst of the heated health care debate, I received an e-mail from 1st Lieutenant Wilson Nance, a Marine stationed at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.
“I have no other reason to write you other than to give you encouragement in the coming months ahead,” the 2006 VMI graduate wrote.
From the safety and security of the U.S. Capitol, grappling with Democrats over high-risk insurance pools and the public option, I received support and encouragement from a soldier in a war zone 6,000 miles away. It was an inspirational reminder that we must remain vigilant in our support of the courageous men and women who serve in our armed forces.
If anything, I should have been the one thanking and encouraging Lt. Nance, not the other way around.
As we go about our daily lives – going to work and buying groceries – it’s easy to forget there are thousands of men and women fighting to defend our freedom and security every single day. It shouldn’t be only on the Fourth of July, Veterans Day or during the occasional standing ovation at a ball game that we stop to honor their sacrifice.
We should be thinking about them, honoring them and praying for them every day. More than 830,000 veterans live in Virginia, and nearly 200,000 Virginians serve in the military around the world.
Just recently, with the uncertainty surrounding the dismissal of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, we were reminded how perilous the situation on the ground in Afghanistan continues to be. Our troops serving there are very much at the center of a protracted and dangerous fight for our national security.
Our nation is at a crossroads, both at home and with its commitments abroad. The America we grew up in is rapidly changing, and unless we change course now, our children and grandchildren will inherit a country worse off than it was left to us, with less freedom and opportunity. That freedom and opportunity is being fought for each and every day by the young men and women thousands of miles away, in foreign lands against enemies that couldn’t possibly imagine what the honor of being an American and experiencing liberty means.
In supporting our troops, a great place to start is to follow the example of the good people in our communities leading the way to honor veterans and help troops and their families who currently serve in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Retired Marine Sgt. Nathan Huffman from Richmond organized a 100-mile Memorial Day Ultra Marathon in May, in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country.
Retired Army Col. William Barrett founded Heroes Helping Heroes, a nonprofit organization that provides community-based programs to assist veterans in finding employment. There are dozens of programs like Heroes Helping Heroes looking for volunteers and support.
Started after the attacks of Sept. 11, Homes for Our Troops helps troops with serious disabilities find homes at no cost. Thanks to the program, Staff Sgt. Dwayne Cole, who was paralyzed in 2007 in Iraq when a bullet hit his spine, just received keys to a brand new home in Henrico. After spending six months at Walter Reed, he and his wife had been living in a rented apartment with inaccessible bathrooms.
While supporting programs like Heroes Helping Heroes and Homes for Our Troops are great opportunities to get involved, little things can also go a long way. The next time you see someone in uniform in the grocery store or in the airport, thank him or her for what they do for our country. If you have a friend, neighbor or relative serving overseas, send them a letter, email, or care package.
The courage and dedication of America’s military is a constant inspiration for our nation. We must follow the lead of Sgt. Huffman, Col. Barrett and many others in supporting and honoring our troops every day.
Eric Cantor, a Republican from Richmond, serves as House minority whip.
July 7th, 2010 at 7:24 am Our son, 1st Lt. Ben Curle, a 2008 VMI graduate, just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq with the South Carolina National Guard. His unit was replaced with a unit from the Virginia National Guard. We cannot forget the sacrifices and service of our citizen soldiers who leave their families and jobs to protect us overseas.
July 7th, 2010 at 8:18 am Thank you Eric Cantor for being a patriot and true American. It’s encouraging to know that there are members of Congress that still care enough to fight for us and our rights. We Virginians are very fortunate to have you representing us in the House. Don’t let anyone discourage you and look only to the Lord to guide you when you need a helping hand.
Again, thank you!
July 7th, 2010 at 9:03 am Dear Mr. Cantor, the best way to honor the troops is to bring them home, give them an education, help heal their physical and emotional injuries and let them help build a safe America back on American soil.
July 7th, 2010 at 9:20 am Thank you for the reminder. I am so proud and honored to be an American and cherish those who have and do serve our country. May God Bless us all!
July 7th, 2010 at 10:16 am Eric: Thanks once again for all you do for our state and our country. Our grandson-in-law will be leaving for Afghanistan in September. He has already served in Iraq twice. We know how much support from home means to our service people, both while they are over there and when they come home.
Alice Ann Halverson
July 7th, 2010 at 10:29 am RIGHT ON!
SEMPER FI
July 7th, 2010 at 11:21 am Dear Congressman Cantor,
Our daughter, who is in the Army Reserves out of San Diego, just returned from a year in Kuwait and Afghanistan. I would love to see all of Congress stop playing partisan politics and remember that we’re all Americans. I don’t know how best to handle the Afghanistan situation, it’s not in my job description. However, as a Mother, I would like for my daughter and many other sons and daughters not to have to go back there risking the chance of returning changed physically and emotionally or the wrost….
They do indeed need support all the time. She and I were very moved by the reception they received when they landed on U.S. soilin Maine on their return home. The greeters there are wonderful. As you said, email, letters and packages from home also mean a lot to them.
July 7th, 2010 at 12:32 pm I am so proud of your service as a Virginian and especially as a Voice for Conservatism in the Congress! Our country is most certainly at a crucial crossroads. Progressive Liberals will be trying their best to get you “off topic”. I pray that you and the other true Conservatives will join arms and rescue our country from Pres Obama’s horrific gameplan!
July 7th, 2010 at 1:07 pm OORAH that! Mr Cantor. Yours is a great reminder of the reciprocity and honor we owe our young warriors. And thanks for standing tall against doctrinaire progressives in DC, Best Wishes to you and your Staff.-sam n’ joan Hall- midlo.va.
July 7th, 2010 at 1:49 pm Dear Eric Cantor, If anyone in our country should be praised and remembered, it is our brave men and women in the military. They deserve our greatest respect and appreciation for the sacrifices they make for all of us every single day! As a fellow citizen, I thank you for every honor, benefit and remembrance you help make available for them.
Also, I want to THANK YOU for your hard work in trying to keep our freedoms as our founding fathers’ originally intended when they wrote the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Our country was founded by men who believed in the one and only true God, the Creator of our world. Thank you for trying to keep us on track.
July 7th, 2010 at 1:51 pm I am encouraged and refreshed to read your letter Representative Cantor. We all need to be reminded of the sacrifice our troops are making to keep our freedom and gain freedom for others as well in their efforts. Prayer, gratitude, respect and love need to pour from our hearts for these men and women representing America and freedom. This is not a time to be silent and your letter is an inspirational reminder, thank you.
July 7th, 2010 at 3:38 pm I received this article today. I thought it was a nice tribute to our soldiers.
July 7th, 2010 at 7:32 pm GREAT! Regards to your father. Harvey
July 7th, 2010 at 8:02 pm This story explains why my son, a SSgt in the marines stationed in Arizona, is recruiting close to 200% of his goal in his first six months. Never, ever forget our military. They are our latest, greatest generation. Find a military/veteran cause and support it. You will be glad you did…always.
July 8th, 2010 at 9:32 am Thank you Rep. Cantor for your support of our troops serving us all around the world.
My husband and i have committed to pray for the next 140 days for our country and those who are serving us. We are praying for leaders who really care, who are honest, have integrity and humble themselves before Almighty God asking Him for the wisdom we need at this time in our country.WE need men not a party to do what is right and honest for the people of our great country.We will be praying for you, that you will stand up for what is best for our country. Be a man of prayer for God hears and answers our prayers. May you be blessed by God for doing what is right and honest in all things.
Sincerely,
Ruth Ogden
July 8th, 2010 at 10:03 am We can’t do enough to honor the men and women bravely fighting to keep the U.S. safe.