Political Quotes

“I look forward to maybe more contested Army-Navy games in the near term. Madam Speaker, in our battle against our internal demons, there is nothing more powerful than veterans helping other veterans. I rise today to discuss the need to support our veterans battling post- traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, otherwise known as TBI. Prior to coming to Congress I served in the U.S. Navy as an F/ A-18 strike fighter pilot. I served from the age of 18 until the age of 36. I was honored to fly combat missions during the first 6 months of Operation Iraqi Freedom over the skies of Baghdad, Fallujah and Tikrit in 2001 in support of our soldiers and marines on the ground. As a veteran myself, I understand that individuals serving in the military or those who have served often take pride in their ability to compartmentalize things or to compartmentalize events in their minds. This is how we cope. But during my journey I lost too many friends, and many of them to suicide, because they thought they were able to compartmentalize when in reality they needed the help. When someone makes a decision to leave the military, they often think that by going back to the real world they will lose their experiences and that the memories that terrorize many of us will come off with the uniform. This simply could not be further from the truth. The memories are always there weighing on you mentally, physically, and emotionally.…”