Senator recognizes service and sacrifice of America’s veterans

As the most recent member of the United States Senate to have served in the U.S. military, Senator Dan Sullivan has always held a special spot in his congressional work for the active duty and veterans who live, work and serve in Alaska, and across the country.

While his work prevented him from being present in Alaska, the Senator released a video message recognizing the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served this country this Veterans’ Day.

“This is a very important, meaningful day for our whole country, but especially for our state. Patriotism and military service are a huge legacy and heritage of our great state. It literally runs in our DNA. We have more veterans per capita than any state in the country. And, with our big Active Duty and Reserve and Guard forces and their families in Alaska, it is a giant component of who we are,” he said.

“Our military is probably one of the most powerful forces in the world for liberating men and women and children from tyranny and oppression—probably more than any other force.”

He went on to say that the US military has helped liberate millions of people, keeping not only Americans safe, but people all around the world. “No other country can say that, certainly not the dictators like China and the Soviet Union and Russia and Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. But we can. We're an exceptional nation because of our military and our veterans.”

Senator Sullivan thanked all the veterans who have served, and thanked those still serving today on Active Duty and Reserve duty, and their families. “The families sacrifice so much and don't always get the attention that they deserve.”

Last year, Senator Sullivan retired from the Marine Corps after 30 years on Active Duty and in the Reserves, and showed his continuing devotion to the Corps as he wore his Marine Corps tie in the video and spoke in the shadow of the famous Iwo Jima Memorial, depicting the Marines and Navy Corpsman raising the flag in a pivotal battle in World War II, and recognized the USMC’s 250th birthday celebrated the day before. “For all the Marines back home in Alaska, Semper Fi. Oorah! Happy 250th birthday. We are proud of the Marines. We view it as the finest fighting force in the world.”

He finished his message by reminding viewers that he serves on the Armed Services Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee, and part of his mission is to assist veterans struggling to work with the VA—not getting the benefits that you have earned as an American veteran—and should feel free to contact his office. “This is one of the most important things we do—fight for our veterans and our military.”