New York, NY – Congressman Charles B. Rangel released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day on November 11, 2011:

“Every Veterans Day, we all come together to remember those who have served our country around the world in the name of freedom and democracy. Without the brave efforts of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and Coast Guardsmen and their families, our country would not live so freely.

It is important that we remember the patriotic sacrifices of those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world. The President kept his commitment to end the war in Iraq in a responsible way and our soldiers who were deployed there have returned home. We are working toward the same goal in Afghanistan with our troops slated to come home in 2014.

Now, more than ever, we renew our commitment to keep our promises to the nation’s more than two million troops and reservists, their families, and 23 million veterans, including 18,000 here in our congressional district.  Let us also honor the memory of the more than 6,600 American service men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the sacrifices of the nearly 50,000 troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I am proud to have worked with my Democratic Colleagues and the President to spearhead many initiatives that have affected nearly every veteran in America.  Since 2007, we have enacted a new Post 9-11 G.I. Bill to ensure that our veterans can afford college, strengthened healthcare for more than five million veterans, provided troops and veterans with increased benefits and resources, and strengthened support for military families.

Despite all that we have accomplished so far, we need to continue do more. Today’s veterans are returning home to face a very challenging job market. With one-in-ten returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan unemployed and looking for work, we have an obligation to make sure our veterans have the necessary tools to succeed in the civilian workforce. We need to take major steps to help our men and women in uniform obtain good jobs when they come home. 

On this Veteran’s Day, I salute all of my brothers and sisters in arms and I call on everyone in America to honor the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for your service and may God bless you all.”