I always tell the story of when I went out to Walter Reed and visited one of our wounded warriors.

the sole purpose of honoring that commitment that our servicemembers have made in making sure that we, as a nation, a grateful nation, follow through with everything from the benefits and the health care to that dignified burial, that says…

It is my hope that by bringing all parties together here today, we can make progress in evaluating the Veterans' Cemetery Grants Program and, ultimately, to serve the needs of our veterans as best we can.

I see that that spirit of collaboration and stewardship of taxpayer dollars, as well as fulfilling our moral obligation to our veterans is alive and well.

And I might add, it feels like I spent a lot of my life up at Camp Ripley, and I can tell you that that facility is second to none.

I often say I stand on the shoulders of giants, and it's no more true than today of the folks who have done the hard work.

this community understands this. They understand that this will transform Preston into already a very special place, but it will be hallowed ground.

Currently, there are approximately 45,000 veterans in southern Minnesota who would be eligible for burial in a veterans' cemetery.

I would argue it's a very important part of our country, of how we take care of those willing to serve.

I can't tell you how proud I am to have a small piece in this.

I wish people could actually watch how we do things in the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

It is my hope that by bringing all the parties together here today, we can make progress in evaluating the Veterans' Cemetery Grants Program and ultimately to serve the needs of our veterans as best we can.