My commitment to the highest standard of treatment to our veterans will not waiver.  The debt that is owed to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms is one that can never fully be repaid. Our men and women in uniform injured or wounded in the line of duty deserve not only the respect of their country, but the best medical care available.

Congress is working on the 2009 budget, and funding for veterans and military retirees is again a top priority. I will work to ensure adequate funding for VA claims processing, TRICARE, end the deduction of VA survivor benefits from Survivor Benefit Plan and eliminate the 10-year phase-in period for retirees with a disability ratings.

As a country it is our duty to respect the memory of those lost and honor those who have fought on the beaches of Normandy, the hills of Korea, the jungles of Vietnam, the mountains of Afghanistan and the sands of Iraq.  They are our neighbors and fellow citizens and their sacrifice demands our humility and deepest gratitude.