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This Memorial Day, I join Iowans across the state in pausing to remember the brave men and women who gave everything for our country. Their sacrifice is not an abstract idea — it’s personal.
I come from a proud military family. My father, my uncles, my brothers, my sister, and my husband all wore the uniform. I was honored to serve myself, spending 24 years in the Army. I know what it means to stand shoulder to shoulder with people who are willing to lay down their lives for something bigger than themselves.
Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the cost of freedom — the families who gather at gravesides, the empty seats at dinner tables, the children who grew up with only memories of a parent in uniform. We owe it to them not only to remember, but to keep the promise we make to every man and woman who serves: that when they come home, their country will be there for them.
In Congress, I carry that commitment with me every day. Whether it’s working to improve veterans’ access to care, cutting red tape at the VA, or supporting mental health services, I never forget that behind every policy are real lives — the veterans in our towns, our neighborhoods, and our own families.
This Memorial Day, let’s remember the fallen by supporting the living. If you or a loved one has served and needs help — whether with a VA issue, a benefit question, or a government agency — my office is here to help. Serving those who served is one of the greatest honors of my job, and I take that responsibility seriously.
As we gather with family and friends this weekend, let’s remember those who never made it home. Let’s honor their memory by showing up for the veterans still among us.
May God bless our fallen heroes, our veterans, and the United States of America.
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