As a veteran of two combat tours in the Middle East, I feel a deep sense of camaraderie with all the brave men and women who have served and who continue to serve in our Armed Forces. Those of us who have served and worn the uniform share a unique bond unlike any other.
Those who place their lives on the line to defend this great nation ask nothing in return, for they knowingly and willingly make this sacrifice out of a sacred honor to each other, to the families left behind, and to this great country we call home.
I am not only a soldier, but a citizen, too. As a citizen, I believe that our troops deserve not just our heartfelt respect, but our gratitude as well. These brave heroes should not have to worry about whether their family is being taken care of while they're deployed in combat. Veterans reentering civilian life should not have to struggle to find employment. And those who return home with physical injuries or invisible wounds, should be afforded the very best care this country has to offer.
I am immensely proud to serve Hawai’i and our nation. I am proud of our country's military traditions of duty, sacrifice, and honor—traditions upheld by those who came before us, upon whose shoulders we stand today.
It is out of this sense of pride and civic duty that, if elected to Congress, I pledge to do everything in my power to improve services for our troops, veterans and their families. I will work to improve efficiency within the Veterans Administration, through better funding and oversight, coupled with community-based outreach to make sure veterans on each island, and in each community, have access to the services they need and deserve. As our troops begin to reenter civilian life, I will work to ensure their transition is seamless and that they have greater access and opportunities to jobs, housing, and education.
Join me in this effort, to fight for our veterans who have selflessly sacrificed for all of us.
Tulsi Gabbard