Political Quotes

“Well, I thank you, Mr. Salazar, for laying out some of the issues before us. As you know, I serve on the Budget Committee, and so we have had this debate about the Veterans Administration, veterans health care in particular. And it is so easy for people to stand up for veterans. We all do this. On Veterans Day we go and visit with our veterans. I know for you it is probably true, for me as well, I will be stopped sometimes on the street by a veteran who will tell me about his service and who will feel strongly and deeply committed. One little aside, if I may. I actually brought three veterans together who had not ever received their medals. One actually was receiving the medal for a deceased brother who had never gotten it. It was a really wonderful moment. They brought their families. One brought three generations with them. What was interesting is they all started talking to each other, and I asked if they knew each other, and they said, no. Two of them had actually served in World War II and one had served in Vietnam. So they didn't even know each other, yet there was a comradery and an understanding and a commitment and a caring they had for each other that was so clearly expressed. It was a wonderful moment to acknowledge their service to this country. {time} 2200 But those are the good moments, I think, when you interact with veterans. But there are the other ones where they say, What is going on with the veterans health care I get?…”