Honoring Veterans
Hello everyone,
Every year when Veterans Day approaches, I keep coming back to one question. If you were asked to describe Veterans Day in one word, what would it be? I keep landing on the same one: sacrifice.
Since it was created, Veterans Day has been a time to acknowledge our family, friends, and loved ones who selflessly sacrifice for our nation. On this day, we remember those who wore the uniform and their families. We say thank you, and we recommit ourselves to making sure that every veteran receives the benefits they have earned and deserve.
My team and I spend a lot of time trying to do that.
On this day, I want to turn over the newsletter to two of my team members who help me do that, and, as veterans, offer unique perspectives in their roles.
Tom Seaman in Washington, DC
I work as a Legislative Fellow for Derek through a veteran program. In January of 2017, I was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps after four years as an enlisted infantryman. I came to work on Capitol Hill because I wanted to continue serving even though I was no longer in uniform. Since starting in Derek’s office, I have had the opportunity to work on veteran policy, health care, transportation and Coast Guard issues. This has been by far the greatest learning experience I have ever had, I learn something new every day. I’ve also really appreciated being able to work on issues that directly impact the thousands of veterans in our district (and me!).
One thing I’m working closely on is helping the spouses of active duty service members find fulfilling jobs, especially after a Permanent Change of Station. According to the Chamber of Commerce, the unemployment rate for military spouses averages between 20 and 25 percent. It is even higher—37 percent—for the spouses of active duty service members who had a permanent change of station within the last 12 months.
Derek is a cosponsor of two pieces of bipartisan legislation that could help fix that: the Military Spouse Hiring Act (HR 2318), by Reps. Carol Shea Porter of New Hampshire and Walter Jones of Georgia, and the Military Spouse Employment Act (HR 5125), by Reps. Donald McEachin of Virginia and Elise Stefanik of New York.
The Military Spouse Hiring Act creates a tax benefit for employers who hire a military spouse. The Military Spouse Employment Act expands access to education and job training for spouses, increases childcare options and removes other barriers that prevent spouses from landing good jobs.
In addition to working on policy, I spend a lot of my time working with groups in Washington state that help veterans. For example, after all of the problems and delays we experienced with establishing our CBOC in Silverdale, I have been working on legislation to improve the VA’s process for opening new CBOCs and updating the care standards at every CBOC nationwide.
In September, Derek along with Reps. Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH) introduced legislation that would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take immediate action to update the care standards at the VA. Here’s some more information on the bill.
My favorite part of my job is meeting with veteran groups. In my first week here, I met with local members of the Reserve Officers Association, which led to us co-sponsoring legislation to improve Tricare access for local members of the Reserves (H.R. 5121).
When a veteran on our team read in the Tacoma News Tribune last year about the difficult time veterans were having using their VA Home Loans, it struck a chord with us. We worked with Derek to reach out to local veterans groups to learn more, and then worked with him and our team in DC to figure out what we could do about it. Derek came up with legislation that could help fix the problem. He amended a recent government spending bill to require the VA to identify what’s causing so many problems in the VA home loan program, and then suggest solutions. This may seem trivial—another government study—but it’s actually really important. Understanding the problem is the first step to writing policy.
I also coordinate the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress, which collects, preserves and makes accessible the story of America’s veterans to help the public better understand the realities of war. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook pages for updates on the program as we get it up and running.
Rob Richards in Washington state
Hi, I’m Team Kilmer’s Veteran and Active Duty Caseworker and District Representative to Grays Harbor County.
As a junior in high school, I already knew I wanted to serve my country so I signed up for the Navy's Delayed Enlistment Program. After graduating high school with a year and a half of service already under my belt, I went to basic training and then to the fleet, stationed in Sasebo, Japan. A Boatswain’s Mate, I served aboard two different Gator Navy ships, the USS Dubuque and the USS Juneau where I was in charge of the ready lifeboat (a 7 Meter RHIB) and served as the primary boat coxswain for all operations from man-overboard to search-and-rescue to liberty taxi. I was also a member of the ship's Flying Squad, the rapid response team called upon in the event of a fire, flooding, toxic gas or any other type of incident that the ship would need to respond to while underway.
As a Congressional caseworker, I assist service members and veterans who are having issues with their benefits or appeals, experiencing family hardships, and any other issues with federal agencies. For example, an active duty sailor recently contacted our office because his newborn daughter was born gravely ill. He was being sent to Guam just weeks after her birth, while her condition was still touch-and-go, separating him from his family at a time when his presence and support was most needed. We were able to help him secure new orders that kept him here in the district and with his family. His little girl is doing great by the way, and they're enjoying their time together.
Finally, Derek is one of the partners of the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. Far too many people who served in Vietnam did not receive a proper thank you when they returned home. Over the last couple of months, we’ve held pinning ceremonies to honor and thank our neighbors who served. To date, we’ve held ceremonies in Elma, Ocean Shores, Port Angeles, and Port Ludlow. We’re looking forward to planning more of those in the next couple of months. Please reach out to me if you’d like to help us put on a ceremony in your community.
From Derek
Our freedom comes with responsibilities. As a son and grandson of two women liberated by allied forces in World War II, I take these responsibilities seriously.
I’m thankful to have an awesome team of folks who believe in public service and making our community stronger. We work for you, so if there’s any help or assistance I can give you, please let me know.
When it comes to serving our veterans, I think the government should follow a few basic truths: if you served our country, the government ought to have your back. You shouldn’t have to fight for the benefits you’ve earned and deserve. And, in the land of the free and the home of the brave, every brave veteran ought to have a home that’s not under a highway overpass.
There’s so much work to do to make sure the government keeps its promises to veterans. I’m going to keep pushing hard to make it happen. I recently heard from veterans who are part of the hundreds of thousands nationwide who are not receiving GI Bill stipends because of a glitch in the VA’s computer system. If this is affecting you, and you’re not getting the answers you need or want from the VA, please give us a call. Here’s more on how the issue is affecting students at Olympic College.
I hope you have had an enjoyable Veteran’s Day weekend.
To all of you who served or have served, to your families and to all of those who sacrifice for our country: thank you.
You are on my mind today, and every day that I have the opportunity to represent you.
Derek