Ripon Forum Veterans Day Special Edition 2022

VE SP TE EC RA IAL NS EDI DA TION Y2 : 02 2

“Protecting the Women Who Protect Us”

by Nancy Mace

November 2022 Volume 56, No. 5

WHAT VETERANS DAY MEANS TO ME Greg Steube

August Pfluger

Mariannette Miller-Meeks

William Timmons

Plus: Will Hubbard on the potential of the G.I. Bill & the need to combat fraud in the program And: Ann Oliva on the successful effort to turn the tide on Veteran homelessness www.riponsociety.org

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“Ideas that matter, since 1965.“ Volume 56, Number 5 Politics and Perspective

Cover Story (cont’d)

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Protecting the Women Who Protect Us

By Nancy Mace Women represent 18% of the Armed Forces and make up the largest growing population of veterans. However, they are facing significant challenges while serving.

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“Our Men and Women in Uniform have Devoted their Lives to Preserving the Freedoms Our Constitution Affords Us.”

By Mariannette Miller-Meeks I am equally honored to acknowledge the gift our veterans have given to us and our nation and to represent them as a fellow veteran.

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The Potential of the G.I. Bill and the Need to Combat Fraud in the Program

By Will Hubbard We owe it to veterans to provide them an education befitting their selfless service to our nation. That means clamping down on those who would cheat them out of their hard-earned benefis.

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“We have an Obligation to Serve Those Who Served and Sacrificed For Us.”

By William Timmons It is more important than ever to set aside political partisanship and put our veterans and servicemembers first.

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How America Turned the Tide on Veteran Homelessness

By Ann Oliva Despite progress, the news is not all good. Recent data shows that between 2019 and 2020, there was a six percent increase in unsheltered homelessness among veterans.

Cover Story - “What Veterans Day Means to Me.” 11

“I Think First and Foremost of Those I Served Alongside.”

By Greg Steube “My experience in the military informs my decisions daily as a Member of Congress on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.”

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“The Selflessness of Veterans Serves as an Inspiration for All Americans.”

By August Pfluger We must do better for our veterans — both in preparing them for combat and when they return from their finished missions.

Publisher The Ripon Society Jim Conzelman, President Editor Lou Zickar Deputy Editor Kyle Chance Editorial Fellow Caitlin Johnson Advertising Coordinator Hannah Genovese

Editorial Board Thomas Tauke Michael Castle Erik Paulsen Billy Pitts Pamela Sederholm Jim Murtha John Feehery Sara Glenn

Debate - “Should National Service Be Required?”

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Every American Should Serve for a Year

By Kristen Bennett It’s time to rethink the path to success for America’s youth by prioritizing opportunities that bring people from different backgrounds together through a shared goal and common purpose.

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The False Promise of Universal National Service

By Doug Bandow It is magical thinking that the state can round up 18-year-olds, march them, like Mao’s Red Guards, across America, and turn them into moral, caring, selfless adults committed to national unity.

Sections 3 23 24

In this Edition Veterans in Congress - Trends Over Time Military Veteran Legislators Serving in the 50 States

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RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

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THE RIPON SOCIETY HONORARY CONGRESSIONAL ADVISORY BOARD U.S. Senators: Shelley Moore Capito - Senate Co-Chair Todd Young – Senate Co-Chair Marsha Blackburn Roy Blunt Richard Burr Bill Cassidy, M.D. Susan M. Collins Steve Daines Joni Ernst Deb Fischer John Hoeven Jerry Moran Mike Rounds Thom Tillis Roger Wicker U.S. Representatives: Rodney Davis (IL) – House Co-Chair Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN) – House Co-Chair Frank Lucas (OK) – House Co-Chair Mike Kelly (PA) – Vice Chair Dan Newhouse (WA) – Vice Chair Ann Wagner (MO) – Vice Chair Mark Amodei (NV) Kelly Armstrong (ND) Don Bacon (NE) Troy Balderson (OH) Andy Barr (KY) Stephanie Bice (OK) Mike Bost (IL) Vern Buchanan (FL) Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX) Ken Calvert (CA) Buddy Carter (GA) Tom Cole (OK) John Curtis (UT) Tom Emmer (MN) Ron Estes (KS) Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) Randy Feenstra (IA) Andrew Garbarino (NY) Anthony Gonzalez (OH) Kay Granger (TX) Garret Graves (LA) Sam Graves (MO) Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA) French Hill (AR) Trey Hollingsworth (IN) Bill Huizenga (MI) Bill Johnson (OH) Dusty Johnson (SD) Dave Joyce (OH) John Joyce, M.D. (PA) John Katko (NY) Young Kim (CA) Adam Kinzinger (IL) Darin LaHood (IL) Bob Latta (OH) Billy Long (MO) Nancy Mace (SC) Brian Mast (FL) Kevin McCarthy (CA) Michael McCaul (TX) Peter Meijer (MI) Carol Miller (WV) John Moolenaar (MI) Blake Moore (UT) Guy Reschenthaler (PA) Tom Rice (SC) Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA) Steve Scalise (LA) Adrian Smith (NE) Lloyd Smucker (PA) Pete Stauber (MN) Bryan Steil (WI) Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA) Mike Turner (OH) Fred Upton (MI) David Valadao (CA) Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (OH) Steve Womack (AR)

In this edition

With Veterans Day once again upon us, we are publishing our 4th Annual Special Edition of The Ripon Forum to commemorate the holiday. This year’s edition features personal essays written by four members of Congress who also served in uniform and were asked to answer a simple question – “What does Veterans Day mean to me?”

Those writing include: U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17), who enlisted in the U.S. Army following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and served from 2004 to 2008 as an Airborne Infantry Officer and a JAG Corps Officer; August Pfluger (TX-11), who served his country in uniform for nearly two decades, commanding hundreds of combat airmen and serving in the Pentagon and NATO Command; Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-2), who enlisted in the Army at age 18 and served for 24 years as a private, nurse, and doctor; and William Timmons (SC-2), who serves as a JAG Officer and Captain in the South Carolina Air National Guard.

Steube, who represents an area in Florida that was devastated by Hurricane Ian, paid special tribute in his essay not only to the veterans he served with in uniform, but to the veterans who are on the ground in his district helping people to recover and rebuild their lives today.

“I’d be remiss not to mention the power of veterans in my district these past weeks,” he wrote. “In the wake of Hurricane Ian, we’ve seen countless volunteer groups sending supplies and manpower to SW Florida.

Among them is Team Rubicon, a group of former military veterans who are helping Floridians clear debris, muck out homes, and tarp roofs. Their mission statement is ‘helping people on their worst day,’ and I think that phrase captures the true sense of service every veteran feels. Those who served our country in uniform know that service does not stop at discharge.”

Also contributing an essay to this 4th Annual Veterans Day Special Edition of The Ripon Forum is U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-1). A member of the Veterans Affairs Committee and daughter of an Army General, Mace graduated magna cum laude from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, where she was the school’s first female to graduate from its Corps of Cadets in 1999. In her essay, she pays tribute to women who, she notes, currently represent 18% of the Armed Forces and make up the largest growing population of veterans, but, she adds, are facing “significant challenges” while serving in uniform.

“Women are 28% more likely to leave the service than their male counterparts,” Mace writes, “citing issues such as lack of family planning support, retaliation after sexual assault, a lack of female mentorship in senior leadership, and sexism in general. Once they separate from the military, women experience more unique and difficult challenges, including accessing their earned benefits, finding meaningful employment, and recovering from their time in the military … Our women veterans have volunteered to give up their lives for our nation and deserve the unfaltering support of the United States government and the American people through health care, education, and other well-earned benefits.”

Will Hubbard of the non-profit group, Veterans Education Success, writes about another challenge facing veterans today involving the G.I. Bill and continuing concerns about fraud in the program. “A shocking six of the 10 schools that received the most G.I. Bill funds from 2009-2017 had been subject to law enforcement action,” Hubbard reveals. “This summer, one school was cut off from the G.I. Bill after the FBI raided several locations. Many of the former students described the school as being a bona fide ‘cult.’’

Another chronic problem facing veterans is homelessness. According to Ann Oliva, who serves as CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the situation has improved over the last decade. “Between 2010 and 2019,” she writes in an essay for this special edition, “the number of homeless veterans was cut in half, outpacing progress for every other subpopulation of people experiencing homelessness.” But in recent years, she continues, the problem has gotten worse. “The most recently available federal data shows that between 2019 and 2020, there was a six percent increase in unsheltered homelessness among veterans. We can’t have that.”

Finally, with the focus of this special edition being those who served our country in uniform, this latest Ripon Forum also features a debate between Kristen Bennett, the CEO of the Service Year Alliance, and Doug Bandow, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, about national service and whether it should be a requirement in American life.

We hope you enjoy this special edition of our journal, and encourage you to contact us with any comments or questions you may have.

Lou Zickar, Editor louzickar@riponsociety.org RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

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Politics & Perspective

Protecting the Women Who Protect Us

by NANCY MACE serving by working at the VA. Women have never been required to serve in the Beaufort’s own Caroline Fermin joined the U.S. military, yet have answered the call voluntarily, U.S. Marine Corps in 1988, serving 25 years before serving since our country became a free nation. retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Fermin currently Women have worked for the right to serve in the serves as the Executive Director of the Parris Island same roles as their brothers in arms and have been Heritage Foundation, generating funds for the Parris significant contributors to our nation’s success.

Island Museum.

To put it simply, we wouldn’t Additionally, she serves as be where we are today without our a Commissioner of the Beaufort women veterans.

County and Municipal Planning Our great state of South Carolina Commissions. Fermin is on the is home to many of these incredible Boards of Voter Registration women who have given so much in and Elections, the Chamber service to our country. of Commerce and the Military South Carolina native and Enhancement Committee, and veteran Caroline Etheredge Hembel serves as Secretary of her MOAA was the only woman to complete the chapter.

Civilian Pilot Training Program at the Women currently represent University of South Carolina in 1939.

18% of the Armed Forces and make In 1940, Hembel became the first up the largest growing population woman in the 11 Southeastern states to of veterans. However, they are fly solo and receive a pilot’s license. facing significant challenges In 1941, she began training Navy while serving.

V-5 aviation cadets, and in 1943 she Did you know one in four was selected to be one of WWII’s servicewomen report being legendary Women’s Auxiliary Service Women currently sexually assaulted by someone in Pilots (WASPs). represent 18% of the their chain of command?

South Carolinian trailblazer Armed Forces and Women are 28% more likely Charity Adams Earley paved the way to leave the service than their male for African American women in the make up the largest counterparts, citing issues such as U.S. military. In 1942, she left her job growing population lack of family planning support, as a school teacher in Columbia, SC of veterans. Howretaliation after sexual assault, to join what was then the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) before ever, they are facing a lack of female mentorship in leadership, and sexism in it became the Women’s Army Corps significant challeng- senior general.

(WAC). es while serving.

Once they separate from the After completing the first Officer military, women experience more Candidate School, Charity served as a unique and difficult challenges, staff training officer, a station control including accessing their earned benefits, finding officer, and a company commander at Fort Des Moines. meaningful employment, and recovering from their In September 1943, she was promoted to Major, making time in the military. her the highest-ranking female officer at the training Unfortunately, the daughters of our brave center. nation also face a higher prevalence of lifetime In 1944, she was selected to be the Commanding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major Officer of the first unit of WAC African Americans to depressive disorders, arthritis, and osteoporosis go overseas. After leaving the military she continued 4

RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

than men. continue this important work.

Our women veterans have volunteered to give up These women have signed up, and continue to their lives for our nation and deserve the unfaltering sign up every day to protect us and our democracy. support of the United States government and the They are America’s daughters who voluntarily gave American people through health care, education up their freedoms to protect ours. As we mark another and other well-earned Veterans Day, the very benefits. least we can do is commit In Congress, we have ourselves to protecting Women have worked for the right worked to support women them and honoring their to serve in the same roles as their veterans in various ways. selfless service to our As a member of the great Nation.

RF brothers in arms and have been House Veterans’ Affairs significant contributors to our Committee, I have coNancy Mace represents nation’s success. sponsored legislation to the 1 st District of South help homeless veterans, Carolina in the U.S. speed up payments for House of Representatives. veterans’ survivors, improve medical care for women A member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and specific issues, support veterans with sexual trauma, daughter of an Army General, she graduated magna and generally improve the VA. Our office champions cum laude from The Citadel, the Military College our veterans and works tirelessly to improve their of South Carolina, where she was the school’s first quality of life during and after service. Congress must female to graduate from its Corps of Cadets in 1999.

RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

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The Potential of the G.I. Bill and the Need to Combat Fraud in the Program It’s time to fulfill America’s promise to our veterans

by WILL HUBBARD They finally found John Gibson, a Georgia Congressman, “a free TV” or other enticements, these scams lured thousands after a frantic statewide search. The year was 1944, and Rep. of veterans into worthless degrees from diploma-mills.

Today’s generation of veterans also benefits from America’s Gibson was to be the tie-breaking vote to pass the “G.I. Bill of promise with the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, authorized by Congress in Rights,” as they were calling it in Congress At the time, he had been back home for several weeks to 2008 to provide education for those serving in the Post-9/11 recover from an illness. Despite his poor health, it became a Era. But history repeats. Just as predatory schools targeted the mad dash amidst a terrible thunderstorm to find and return the original G.I. Bill, today they continue to scam many veterans out of their valuable education benefits.

Congressman to the Capitol to cast Over the past 14 years, several his crucial vote, which he finally did major college chains with a large with barely hours to spare. number of G.I. Bill recipients have Rep. Gibson’s vote helped been subject to law enforcement bring into being the post-World action. Some of these have even shut War II G.I. Bill. It represented a down unexpectedly, leaving their covenant between the American students scrambling. A shocking six people and its veterans – a promise of the 10 schools that received the that veterans would not be left to most G.I. Bill funds from 2009-2017 beg for reasonable opportunities had been subject to law enforcement to reintegrate into our society as action. their predecessors of World War I’s And worse yet, many of the “Bonus Army” had to do. schools that receive the most G.I. Bill Without a doubt, America’s dollars are also the ones who spend promise to veterans turned out to be the least amount of those dollars on one of the most successful national the actual education of their students. investments in American history and Will Hubbard In fact, seven of the top 10 G.I. Bill is widely regarded by economists as schools that received the most G.I. a major driver in the growth of the Bill funds from 2009-2017 spent less American middle class following than one-third of tuition and fees on A shocking six of the 10 WWII. instruction in 2017.

The G.I. Bill fostered the schools that received the And this summer, one school was prosperity of millions of Americans, most G.I. Bill funds from cut off from the G.I. Bill after the FBI providing for the education of 2009-2017 had been subject raided several locations. Many of the 14 future Nobel laureates, two students described the school dozen Pulitzer Prize winners, three to law enforcement action. former as being a bona fide “cult.” But when Supreme Court Justices, three a veteran applies to use their G.I. Bill, presidents of the United States, and hundreds of thousands of skilled professionals. Key to their logical assumption is they’ll be spending their hard-earned this success were several prominent veterans’ organizations – benefits at a program that will deliver a valuable education. So, notably The American Legion – which had championed this where is the disconnect?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ acceptance of a unprecedented package of veteran readjustment benefits.

Unfortunately, one of the of the lesser-known drawbacks college for the G.I. Bill conveys an implied “stamp of approval.” of the original G.I. Bill was the shocking abundance of “fly-by- This approval carries major significance to veterans, because night” schools; fraudsters sought quick fortunes by convincing for many veterans the G.I. Bill is their ticket to generational veterans to spend their G.I. Bill benefits at hollow programs. economic mobility. No matter where someone starts in life, an Converting America’s promise of a better life into promises of honorable tour in the U.S. military unlocks access to what most 6

RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

other Americans could only dream of: fully funded tuition and generation students – supposed to tap into America’s promise if they are being targeted by fraudsters? fees, a book stipend, and a housing allowance.

As a country, it’s up to us to provide unhindered access to While the specifics of the G.I. Bill program have varied the tools veterans need to successfully transition into a civilian over the generations, the promise has remained the same – the career.

Imagine what it would be like if – no matter where a opportunity of higher education and the chance at a successful veteran decided to go to civilian career with a higher college – they could count income trajectory. Consider on that school being a quality for a moment the experience Seven of the top 10 G.I. Bill schools institution with a track record of the typical service that received the most G.I. Bill funds of solid outcomes. This is member transitioning from why the U.S. Department from 2009-2017 spent less than onethe military – the vast of Veterans Affairs must majority of those who serve third of tuition and fees on instrucmaintain reasonable do one tour of four years in tion in 2017. standards of quality, and the enlisted ranks, often in also why Congress should a role in the military that establish higher expectations. doesn’t represent their longWe owe it to all veterans to deliver on America’s promise term career goals, and most are the first in their family to attend with an education befitting of veterans’ selfless service to our college. nation.

The time to expect more for the G.I. Bill is now.

RF For many transitioning veterans, the desire to execute a career pivot makes college an obvious choice. But veterans who have earned the G.I. Bill are bombarded with marketing and Will Hubbard, a Marine Corps veteran, is vice president for advertisements from schools eager to tap into veterans’ precious Veterans and Military Policy at Veterans Education Success, G.I. Bill benefits – and too many of those schools have lied to a nonprofit organization that advocates for the protection of veterans to get their G.I. Bill funds, according to federal and state the integrity of the G.I. Bill and other federal, postsecondary law enforcement action. How are veterans – especially first- education programs.

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RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

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How America Turned the Tide on Veteran Homelessness …and the Challenges We Continue to Face

by ANN OLIVA

Each Veterans Day, we commemorate U.S. Military Leadership veterans for their service to this nation. However, truly Leadership is essential to meeting any objective. honoring our veterans demands so much more than one day Leadership brings clarity to difficult decisions. It unifies of parades and proclamations. Honoring our veterans means purpose and activity among those on the front lines. And it ensuring that every person who has served in the military marshals the resources needed to accomplish our goals. can live a safe and secure life after they’ve completed their Sustained reductions in veteran homelessness were service. made possible because of the broad alignment of federal, Their needs are many: health state, county, and city leaders care, disability compensation, who brought unity, urgency, employment, and job training often and public will to this goal top the list. But the single most – a commitment that started important thing that every veteran from the very highest levels of needs is a safe and affordable place government. to live.

The impact of that kind Unfortunately, our nation has of unified purpose represents not always lived up to this need. government at its finest. Unified In fact, the United States had leadership reduced obstacles shockingly high rates of veteran to our goals, motivated and homelessness for decades. As encouraged frontline providers, recently as 2010, there were at and ultimately accelerated least 74,000 veterans experiencing progress for veterans who homelessness on a given night. needed help.

This was – to put it lightly Ann Oliva – a national disgrace. And so, Resources in 2010, the federal government Every mission requires and communities across the appropriate resources. The Between 2010 and 2019, the country prioritized ending veteran consequences of not having number of homeless veterhomelessness. Ultimately, this them can be catastrophic. effort became the essential proof Those on the front lines of ans was cut in half, outpacpoint in what was possible for ending homelessness know this ing progress for every other ending homelessness for all too well. Every day, homeless subpopulation of people Americans: between 2010 and system leaders and frontline 2019, the number of homeless workers do life-saving work, experiencing homelessness. veterans was cut in half, despite a dire shortage of the outpacing progress for every other federal funds needed to bring subpopulation of people experiencing homelessness. their programs to scale.

It was one of the great honors of my time at the U.S. The one exception, however, has been for veterans. When Department of Housing and Urban Development to be the federal government prioritized veteran homelessness, part of the team that undertook this work. And so, as we Congress followed up with unprecedented bipartisan commemorate Veterans Day 2022, I’d like to reflect on appropriations to help communities do the work. Between the three factors that made progress possible: leadership, 2010 and 2017, the federal government more than doubled resources, and strategy. federal funding for homeless veteran programs.

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RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

Veterans of color continue to have the highest likelihood of experiencing homelessness. And the most recently available federal data shows that between 2019 and 2020, there was a six percent increase in unsheltered homelessness among veterans. We can’t have that.

The primary driver for these increases is our nationwide Strategy affordable housing crisis. More and more people – including Of course, leadership and resources mean little without an countless U.S. Military veterans – simply cannot afford to stay effective strategy. in their homes. Headlines on rent-gouging and inflation have In the case of ending veteran homelessness, this meant brought this issue to the forefront in the past year, but for those relying on good policy. It meant a laser focus on results, rather with the lowest incomes this is nothing new. It is simply getting than optics or politics. It meant ignoring assumptions about worse. who might or might not succeed, or judgments about who did In the face of these headwinds, we must do more. That or did not deserve help. starts by re-committing to Instead, the strategy the federal strategies and was entirely driven by data programs that have ended that demonstrated which homelessness for tens of approaches helped the most thousands of veterans. It people get off the street and then requires us to increase into permanent housing. funding for these programs That approach was so that they can continue to Housing First. serve the growing number There is currently of veterans who need them. widespread confusion To accomplish that, we will all need to come as to what Housing First together – because ending is and isn’t. But during veteran homelessness has the push to end veteran never been a partisan issue homelessness, there was in the past, and it should not no question: Housing First be one today. United States San Bernardino, CA Tom Dake, 62, right, receives a simply means that people Military veterans deserve wellness check from Vi Corporation at a Veteran Standwho are homeless need to safe and dignified places down and Homeless Resource event at Perris Hill Park in be reconnected to a home as to live, and I firmly believe San Bernardino on Oct. 12, 2022. quickly as possible, without that this is something every single lawmaker can onerous preconditions. The services people may need Despite this progress, the news is not support.

That is what keeps – like healthcare, mental all good … the most recently available me inspired and motivated health treatment, drug this Veterans Day. Ending treatment, or job training – federal data shows that between 2019 veteran homelessness all work better if a person and 2020, there was a six percent would be a true tribute to first has a stable place to increase in unsheltered homelessness our nation’s veterans. And call home.

I believe it is the kind of When veteran among veterans. victory our nation needs at homelessness programs this moment. started operating under The good news is that we know how to do it. We know the a Housing First model, the outcomes were undeniable: they dramatically reduced the waiting times to connect veterans with strategies and programs that work. We know the resources we permanent housing, improved retention rates in housing, and need. And we know that this is a truly bipartisan opportunity for our leaders to embrace. stabilized more veterans once they were housed.

Our nation’s veterans answered the call. Now it’s These are unassailable benchmarks for determining our turn.

RF success.

This commitment was a game changer. No other subpopulation of people experiencing homelessness has ever benefitted from this kind of resourcing. And so it should not be a surprise that no other subpopulation has ever experienced the kinds of reductions that veterans have.

The Path Forward Despite this progress, the news is not all good.

Homelessness has been on the rise across the nation for the past few years, and progress on veteran homelessness has plateaued.

Ann Oliva is CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, a public education, advocacy, and capacity building organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the United States.

RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

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Cover Story

WHAT VETERANS DAY MEANS TO ME With essays by Veteran Lawmakers Greg Steube, August Pfluger, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and William Timmons

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RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

“I Think First and Foremost of Those I Served Alongside.”

by GREG STEUBE

In the wake of 9/11, President George W. Bush remove burdensome red tape and fees for veterans addressed the Nation saying: “I have a message for hosting special events at war memorials. I’ve worked our military: Be ready. I’ve called the Armed Forces to for several years in Congress to allow our veterans alert, and there is a reason. The hour is coming when to have true choice when it comes to their health America will act, and you will make us proud.” care. As someone who uses the VA system, I have The President’s call for all able-bodied men been afforded unique understanding into what our and women to fight against veterans go through every day. terrorism jumpstarted my story My legislation, the Veterans as a veteran. I never had a desire True Choice Act, would expand to serve in the military, but health insurance options for during my time in law school disabled veterans and enable at the University of Florida, service-connected veterans the two planes hit the Twin Towers ability to use TRICARE Select and everything changed. I and TRICARE for Life and not felt that this moment was my be forced into a VA system that generation’s call to serve our doesn’t work for all and leaves country and that those who veterans behind. were able to fight, shouldn’t While it’s important on stand by.

Veterans Day to recognize the On Veterans Day each critical needs of our veteran year, I think first and foremost community not yet met, it’s also of those I served alongside important we celebrate all that in support of Operation Iraqi veterans contribute. Some of the Freedom, and those who most dedicated public servants made the ultimate sacrifice. across the country once wore My experience in It was an incredible honor the uniform and continue to the military informs and opportunity to serve our have a large footprint in our country as the U.S. worked to communities. my decisions daily as a counter the threat of terrorism I’d be remiss not to mention Member of Congress on around the world. the power of veterans in my My experience in the district these past weeks. In the the House Foreign military informs my decisions wake of Hurricane Ian, we’ve Affairs Committee. daily as a Member of Congress seen countless volunteer groups on the House Foreign Affairs sending supplies and manpower Committee. I’m honored to to SW Florida. Among them is represent more than 75,000 veterans in Southwest Team Rubicon, a group of former military veterans Florida and take seriously my responsibility, as their who are helping Floridians clear debris, muck out voice in Washington, to alleviate some of the challenges homes, and tarp roofs. Their mission statement is our veteran community faces. While the Democrats are ‘helping people on their worst day,’ and I think that wiping student loan debt without merit, I’m working phrase captures the true sense of service every veteran to modernize the G.I. Bill to allow veterans to use feels. Those who served our country in uniform know their post-9/11 educational assistance to repay federal that service does not stop at discharge. student loans incurred prior to military service.

Over the past year we saw that exemplified on I’m also honored that my Free Veterans from Fees a large scale after our own government failed in the Act passed the House this Congress, which would disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. Veterans who RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

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left the military years ago volunteered to evacuate Library of Congress Veterans History Projects. My Americans and our vulnerable allies from behind office is honored to participate year-round by sharing Taliban lines. These individuals went far beyond the the first-hand accounts of Florida’s former military call of duty to do what was right. Service exposes members. Their stories are a treasured piece of our military members to different government systems country’s history, spanning decades through both around the world. It creates a deep appreciation for world conflicts and peacetime.

America and a duty to help whenever possible.

You can view the projects on my website https:// This Veterans Day, I’ll steube.house.gov/services/ be visiting the Sarasota vhp and my Youtube National Cemetery to Channel.

RF It is my hope that Americans honor the thousands of Veterans buried in the Greg Steube represents never forget to say “thank you” heart of Florida’s 17 th the 17th District of to each and every one of the Congressional District.

Florida in the U.S. House veterans in our lives.

This cemetery holds a dear of Representatives. place in my heart as the site Immediately after of my grandfather’s burial. graduating from the He served our country University of Florida with honorably during World War II in the U.S. Navy and both undergraduate and law degrees, he answered instilled in our family the duty to country and duty to the call to serve in the War on Terror following the our community that has lived on through generations. September 11th attacks. Enlisting in the U.S. Army, It is my hope that Americans never forget to say Greg served with distinction from 2004 to 2008 as an “thank you” to each and every one of the veterans Airborne Infantry Officer and a JAG Corps Officer. in our lives. Our country is a beacon of freedom He also served as the Chief of Detainee Operations and liberty. We owe that to the men and women who for Multinational Division North in Iraq with the voluntarily put their lives on hold for the betterment 25th Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi of our country. I also encourage everyone to view the Freedom from 2006-2007.

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“The Selflessness of Veterans Serves as an Inspiration for All Americans.”

by AUGUST PFLUGER

Veterans Day is a chance for our Nation to reset – to pause Star Act, which would ensure roughly 42,000 combat-disabled and honor those who served and recognize their sacrifices to service retirees can concurrently receive veterans’ disability ensure the freedom and safety of others. compensation and retired pay or combat-related special In John Chapter 15, verse 13, Jesus tells us: “Greater compensation. Legislation like this and the Captain James C. love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his Edge Gold Star Spouse Equity Act, which ensures surviving friends.” It is humbling to know that roughly 19 million veterans spouses of service members receive the benefits their late spouse living in the United States today, and the countless others who earned, are basic provisions we can and should guarantee. have come before, not only The selflessness have this love but are willing of veterans serves as an to act on it. inspiration for all Americans.

Our nation makes a To our heroic veterans: your promise to the men and valiance is not forgotten, and women who raise their your sacrifices are valued. hands to be steadfast in their Because of you and your commitment to our country. bravery, my wife and I can When these people put their raise our daughters in a country lives on the line for you and that is safe and secure, and full me, they should know we of countless possibilities and will take care of them when boundless opportunities. they return. As a former I am praying, and I fighter pilot who served am believing, that through for 20 years in the U.S. Air moments like Veterans Day Force, I have come to know when we are thankful for many incredible service our blessings and united in members and veterans, and patriotism, we can begin to the people who support them. heal our Nation and work Colonel Pfluger is a decorated combat veteran with over 300 hours of direct action.

Our warfighters are heroes to towards a better tomorrow. The this country. sacrifices of service members We must do better for our and their commitment to our “We must do better for our veterans — both in preparing country have given our nation them for combat and when veterans — both in preparing them the freedom that so many they return from their finished around the world hope for. for combat and when they return missions.

Unfortunately, I am committed to working from their finished missions.” pilots and aircrew have been on behalf of our veterans found to have a higher risk of every day in Congress and contracting various forms of ensuring we are implementing cancer. I am proud that my bill, the ACES Act, which directs common-sense policies that support our servicemembers, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study cancer incidence veterans, and their families.

RF and mortality rates among military aviators and aircrew, was included in the House version of the defense bill (FY23 NDAA). August Pfluger represents the 11th District of Texas in the U.S. As a former fighter pilot, I know first-hand the risks that House of Representatives. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force airmen take every day when they step into the cockpit. These Academy, Pfluger served his country in uniform for nearly two heroes knowingly put their lives on the line for their country. decades – commanding hundreds of combat airmen and serving This legislation protects our service members and ensures they in the Pentagon and NATO Command. Today, Colonel Pfluger is a decorated combat veteran with over 300 hours of direct action are provided the healthcare benefits they earned.

I am also supporting legislation like the Major Richard against radical jihadists in the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

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“Our Men and Women in Uniform have Devoted their Lives to Preserving the Freedoms Our Constitution Affords Us.”

by MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS

I have felt called to serve our nation from a very young age, I am equally honored to acknowledge the gift our veterans and have been honored to serve first in uniform and now as a have given to us and our nation and to represent them as a fellow member of the United States House of Representatives. veteran in an exemplary manner.

Having served in the United States Army and Army As I continue my service in Congress, I have made Reserves, Veterans Day is more than another federal holiday. It protecting veterans one of my top priorities. I’m proud to provides everyone in our nation — both servicemembers and serve on the Health Subcommittee of the House Veterans civilians — an opportunity Affairs Committee, and I to honor those who have firmly believe care for veterans dedicated their lives to should be more efficient, more protecting our freedoms. effective, and more accessible.

I enlisted when I was 18, In addition to improving care, but my two older brothers had I also believe that it’s crucial already served; the eldest was to expand resources available a Green Beret and the younger to veterans as they transition to went to Vietnam. As a military civilian life. family, we saw how they Let’s continue to grow were shunned and mistreated. awareness and support for our This only reinforced my men and women who have commitment to support our worn our nation’s uniform servicemembers. and the great attributes that It made Veterans Day they continue to bring to their even more significant – communities when no longer Captain Mariannette Miller-Meeks is pictured here at veterans gathering together, in uniform.

Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, circa 1984. able to understand what one As we recognize Veterans another endured, even without Day this year, I challenge I am equally honored to exchanging words, and being everyone to reflect on the acknowledge the gift our appreciated by other veterans sacrifices our servicemembers and their family members for have made to protect our veterans have given to us and their willingness to sacrifice great nation. No matter the our nation and to represent everything to protect our branch in which they served, nation. active duty or reserves, our them as a fellow veteran in an As we transitioned to an men and women in uniform exemplary manner. all-volunteer military, Veterans have devoted their lives to Day has become even more preserving the freedoms our important. Young people and those who have not served can Constitution affords us. be inspired and motivated to serve our great nation. They can I am proud of my service, and as we join together to recognize also get a more accurate picture of the humility and selflessness our veterans, I hope others will be inspired to serve. It has truly of our veterans, and the constant refrain from them that it is an been the most rewarding experience of my career.

RF honor to have served.

Additionally, military service provides our young men Mariannette Miller-Meeks represents the 2nd District of Iowa in and women with valuable life skills that cannot be taught, only the U.S. House of Representatives. She enlisted in the United learned – a balance of humility and confidence, loyalty, problem States Army at 18, where she served for 24 years as a private, nurse, and doctor. solving skills, and even organization and time management.

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“We have an Obligation to Serve Those Who Served and Sacrificed For Us.”

by WILLIAM TIMMONS

Fewer than 0.5% of our population serves in our improve the determination of creditworthiness of military. Answering the call to service is something individuals who are able to obtain VA housing and few have done, but each of our veterans have made small business loans. Allowing servicemembers us a stronger, safer, and more free nation. Not many and veterans to utilize alternative credit sources, of our fellow Americans have put on the uniform, such as proof of rent, utility, and insurance payment but those who did have ensured histories, to access VA loans we have remained the greatest will help put the dream of country in the world. As owning a home within reach members of Congress, and as for more of America’s heroes. their fellow Americans, we have Another key part of an obligation to serve those who transitioning to civilian served and sacrificed for us. life is ensuring success for And in such divided times, it our veterans by connecting is more important than ever to departing servicemembers set aside political partisanship to in-demand skills training and put our veterans and and prospective employers servicemembers first. who are ready to hire. Since One area where Congress 2011, The Department of can work together is by helping Defense SkillBridge program veterans achieve prosperity and has been an opportunity success when they return to for servicemembers to civilian life. Everyone deserves gain valuable civilian the chance at the American work experience through Dream, and one way we can specific industry training, help veterans achieve theirs is apprenticeships, or internships Not many of our fellow through homeownership. To do during the last 180 days of Americans have put on so, we must eliminate barriers service. Working with my the uniform, but those for veterans who wish to buy colleagues across the aisle, a home. This is why I joined we passed the Transition for who did have ensured Rep. Mike Levin, a Democrat Success Act, which expands we have remained the from California, to introduce access to the SkillBridge greatest country in H.R. 8758, the Building Credit program by allowing all Access for Veterans Act. Our National Guard and Reserve the world. bipartisan and bicameral bill servicemembers to participate seeks to expand credit options in the program upon departing for veterans and members of military service. the Armed Forces who are eligible for Department A survey conducted by the Pew Research of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing loans and have an Center in 2019 found that only one in four veterans insufficient credit history. said they had a civilian job lined up after they Credit is a fundamental part of buying a home, and left the military. Expanding this critical program when trying to build credit, many military families to Reservists and Guard members will ensure that face unique circumstances. The Building Credit Access each of our veterans has the opportunity to succeed for Veterans Act requires the VA to evaluate the use after service. of alternative credit scoring information or models to These are two meaningful ways that we are RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

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working across party lines on behalf of our veterans.

Helping them successfully transition to civilian life and making it easier to own a home ensures our veterans are one step closer to achieving the American Dream. In Washington, I am working hard to make the dream a reality for more and more of America’s veterans.

President Calvin Coolidge once said, “The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.”

I believe this quote, though spoken many years ago, remains as a call to action to this day, especially as a

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lawmaker. No matter how much time passes, we must always take the time to honor those who served our country.

Members of Congress have an obligation to fulfill the promises made to our veterans, no matter which political party we belong to.

RF William Timmons represents the 2 nd District of South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves as a JAG Officer and Captain in the South Carolina Air National Guard.

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Debate

Every American Should Serve for a Year

by KRISTEN BENNETT For decades, we’ve expected young Americans to A voluntary national service program can help address graduate high school, go to college, and then get a job. the challenges we face as a country. And by making the Somewhere along the way, though, our institutions lost the opportunity widely accessible and encouraged, we’re trust of the next generation and they began to question the investing in a more intentional way for youth to make a value of this path. difference in our local communities while paving a new It’s time to rethink the path to success for our nation’s path to successful futures. There is tremendous value in youth and rebuild trust along the way by prioritizing empowering youth with the choice to serve, allowing them opportunities that bring people from different backgrounds to choose an opportunity that meets a critical need in a together through a shared goal and community, and enabling them common purpose. to wake up every day and make a Every young person in difference.

America should spend a year in Other opponents will say national service. national service is political — but As an AmeriCorps VISTA there’s nothing political about alum, my year of service taught responding to natural disasters, me first-hand about the power of increasing literacy in schools, or national service to launch youth supporting communities impacted on pathways to success, transform by the opioid epidemic. National communities, and bring people service is driven by local decision together. makers and tied closely to the When I graduated college in needs of local communities.

2008, our economy was tanking We’re seeing the power of and our institutions were failing national service in action right me. I was under the impression now. In Florida, the Department Kristen Bennett that if I worked hard and graduated of Elder Affairs has partnered from college, I could find a job with AmeriCorps to establish More young people should “Hope Dialers,” a phone resource and be successful. But that was far from my reality. Fortunately, network to aid older Floridians in have access to these lifeI found national service, and the recovery from Hurricane Ian. And changing opportunities experience shaped my career and in Puerto Rico, SBP AmeriCorps led me to my position today as the members are assessing damage that bring them closer to CEO of Service Year Alliance, a Hurricane Fiona, conducting their communities and their from nonprofit that envisions a future wellness checks, distributing fellow citizens. where a year of national service is recovery supplies, and partnering part of growing up in America. with state and municipal leaders, More young people should and NGO partners, to ensure have access to these life-changing opportunities that bring communities get access to vital recovery resources. them closer to their communities and their fellow citizens.

Throughout history, Republicans and Democrats alike Detractors of this idea will decry government have believed in the power of national service. President conscription — but no one should be forced to serve our Kennedy created the Peace Corps. Lyndon Johnson country. Fifty years ago, America did away with the military instituted Volunteers in Service to America. George H.W. draft, and today our Armed Forces are one of the most Bush founded Points of Light. President Clinton started trusted institutions in the nation. Additionally, the majority AmeriCorps. George W. Bush launched the USA Freedom of Americans oppose mandatory service, and conscripting Corps after September 11th. And Senators Chris Coons (Dyouth into service could further divide Americans. (cont’d on page 20) 18

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The False Promise of Universal National Service

by D O U G B A N D O W America is divided. Some people hope for a simple night-fever, unemployment, the new narcissism, and answer. A few even see war as a model for bringing other afflictions of American youth.” people together.

Is America’s choice really between Mao and Over the years there have been many notable disco? universal national service advocates. The 2020 National service is a bad idea. To start, the 13 th presidential campaign brought forth proposals for Amendment bans “involuntary servitude.” The civilian conscription from Democratic candidates Supreme Court sustained military conscription during including South Bend Mayor (now Transportation a war declared by Congress, but there is no similar Secretary) Pete Buttigieg. Susan justification for a civilian draft in Rice, of both the Obama and Biden peacetime. administrations, also is a fan.

Nor is there a good policy It’s a bizarre idea. America’s argument for such a program, national government was not especially on a national scale. given such authority, for good Political elites possess no unique reason. Civic virtue comes from abilities to diagnose and remedy below, not above. As Alexis de the failings of the young. Indeed, Tocqueville famously observed it would be obscene to exempt the in Democracy in America: “I have former, who are most responsible seen Americans making great for the bitter political divisions in and sincere sacrifices for the key the nation’s capital, from serving. common good, and a hundred Equally important, national times I have noticed that, when service would fail in practice. needs be, they almost always gave Advocates of national service each other faithful support.” typically produce long lists of Doug Bandow However, voluntarism did “unmet needs” with specific not satisfy newer authoritarian, numbers of extra workers desired collectivist impulses articulated in such areas as conservation, Political elites possess by the philosopher William James education, health care, and, more no unique abilities to in his famous 1906 speech on The recently, COVID and climate diagnose and remedy Moral Equivalent of War. “Our change. However, the demand for gilded youths would be drafted labor is infinite if treated as free. the failings of the off,” he declared, “to get the Nor is impressing millions young. childishness knocked out of them, of untrained, indifferent, and and to come back into society with sometime hostile young people healthier sympathies and soberer — roughly four million turn 18 ideas.” every year — a sensible way to fulfill specialized This desire for social engineering endures. In 1979, tasks. Better to hire qualified and committed people the Committee for the Study of National Service, co- directly. There also is a significant opportunity cost to chaired by Harris Wofford, who was later elected to the turning young people’s lives over to the state. The real U.S. Senate, opined: “Millions of young people serve expense is the value of their work or study foregone, social needs in China as a routine part of growing up, and there is no reason to presume that a grand new many [are] commanded to leave the crowded cities and federal bureaucracy is better qualified than them to run to assist in the countryside. … The civic spirit being their lives. imbued in youth elsewhere in the world leaves some And imagine what would be required to manage Americans wondering and worrying about Saturday(cont’d on page 21) RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

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Those who serve also exit service as stronger citizens.

(Bennett, cont’d) DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) spearheaded the bipartisan AmeriCorps alumni are consistently more engaged CORPS Act during the coronavirus pandemic. members of society — 94 percent are registered to vote, far Many other national service adversaries will claim the above the national average, and eight out of ten alumni are, idea is unpopular and that young people don’t want to serve or plan to be, actively involved in their community post— but a strong majority of youth would consider national service. They leave service believing in the power of their service and see it as an effective way to make change. community to make change and confident that their voice Most importantly, given this moment in history, nearly and opinion matter in shaping our society. two-thirds of Americans, on I can think of few better both sides of the political ways to develop the civicallyThroughout history, aisle, believe national service engaged, future leaders that Republicans and Democrats programs like AmeriCorps are America needs. a good way to heal divides in National service alike have believed in the the country. A year of service transcends politics, and it’s power of national service. allows young people from already happening in cities different walks of life to serve and towns across America. It’s alongside one another, building empathy and understanding, good for young people, our communities, and our country, while tackling local community challenges together. but the investment in building a renewed sense of civic Retired General Stan McChrystal, who chairs the responsibility is reason alone for every young person in board of Service Year Alliance, has represented our vision America to serve.

RF for national service brilliantly, saying: “Serving together to solve public problems will build attachment to community Kristen Bennett is an AmeriCorps VISTA alum and the and country, understanding among people who might CEO of Service Year Alliance, a nonprofit working to make otherwise be skeptical of one another and a new generation a year of service a common expectation and opportunity for of leaders who can get things done.” all young Americans.

pepsico.com 20

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(Bandow, cont’d) However, if advocates really believe what they millions of conscripts. Contra the vision of program are preaching, why not start with America’s political, advocates – who are conveniently too old to “serve” – commercial, social, and cultural leaders? In the late 19th many young people would not be enthused about being century Edward Bellamy published a novel, Looking denounced for their selfishness, criticized for their sloth, Backward, that promoted a nearly lifetime draft and gained lectured on their ingratitude, and dragged away from many followers at the time. Those proposing national their homes to be ordered around by sanctimonious, vote- service programs should be the first people conscripted minded politicians. What and given the honor of happens when some of the doing the most difficult and newly-drafted laborers act unpleasant tasks.

These sorts of proposals have in ways that would get them Service is good. less to do with solving probfired from any private job.

However, conscripted labor lems and more to do with using is not real service. America Lecture them? Arrest them? force to mold people into some- faces serious challenges that Quote Mao Zedong about one else’s preferred image. serving the masses? Or just require commitment and give up, don’t worry, and be sacrifice to solve. The answer happy? is not mandatory national In the end, these sorts of proposals have less to do with service imposed by the old on the young.

RF solving problems and more to do with using force to mold people into someone else’s preferred image. Compulsory Doug Bandow is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute. compassion is supposed to force moral transformation. He is a former Special Assistant to President Ronald Alas, it is magical thinking that the state can round up Reagan and the author of several books, including BLEED: 7.625"Foreign W 18-year-olds, march them, like Mao’s Red Guards, across Follies: America’s New Global Empire (Xulon) TRIM: 7.375” W America, and turn them into moral, caring, selfless adults and Human Resources and Defense Manpower (National SAFETY: 6.875” W committed to national unity and other liberal verities.

Defense University).

SAFETY: 4.375 ” H

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2/7/22 3:54 PM

WE DO

EVERYTHING ,

WE DO

®

Photo by Paolo Bovo. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

FOR VETERANS

Learn more or join at vfw.org.

Source: Brookings Institution & the Military Times

Marking 60 years of public policy.

Founded 1962 RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2022

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Military Veteran Legislators Serving in the 50 States | 2021 State

Veterans in the House/Assembly

Total # Veterans of Veteran in the Senate Legislators

Total Seats in Legislature

Percentage of Veterans in the Legislature

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures

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We’re on a Mission to Support Veterans and Military Families When you’re a United States veteran with more than 40,000 organizations trying to help you, it can be tough to find the right information. That’s why AARP connects veterans and military families to community programs and provides free, tailored tools for family caregiving, fighting fraud, finding meaningful employment, and accessing military service benefits.

Find out more at aarp.org/Veterans AARP is proud to support the Ripon Society.

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