On the recordMay 20, 2015
I am here today to pay tribute to our veterans and to the men and women of our Armed Forces who wake up every day, put on our Nation's uniform, and don't know if they are going to be home that evening safely with their families. Last weekend, volunteers came together in Port O'Connor, Texas, to honor more than 900 veterans and current members of the Armed Forces for the ninth annual Warriors Weekend. Warriors Weekend brings together military members who have been wounded during combat in the global war on terror--and not just those who are wounded physically, but also those with invisible scars, like PTSD and depression. Mr. Speaker, many of these current and former military members are still in recovery and physical rehabilitation, but the weekend event gives them the chance to build a support network and have a great time enjoying the Texas outdoors. Warriors Weekend was created in part by veterans who served during Vietnam. They knew all too well how it felt to return home from war and be looked down on. They wanted to make sure every member of the military is welcomed home properly, and they knew that our wounded veterans oftentimes have needs that are overlooked. I urge Members to support Warriors Weekend again next year. ____________________
