Veterans bring added value due to the unique experience of service, authority and responsibility.

Today, while I’m writing this, is Veteran’s Day!  A day in which we honor our military veterans, both living and died, who stood between us and danger to our blessings of liberty per their oath to support and defend the Constitution.

As a veteran, a retired naval officer specialized in surface ship nuclear power, served tours on multiple warships including the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, my greeting to veterans is, “In honor of your service, I dedicate myself to peace.”  This is a respectful recognition of the dedication and sacrifice made by the veteran, plus a promise of action on my part to make the good results of their service continue and grow.

Veterans looking back on their military service often see they were part of a unit made up of highly diversified individuals.  That unit formed a team and relied on each other to pull their weight and do their job to achieve mission success and protect each other.  They worked together.  They were a team that was part of a larger team that was part of a larger team…

In the early 1980’s, Congress had 56% veterans in the House, 76% in the Senate.  Today, both numbers are around 18%.  I think we have lost something valuable by having fewer veterans in congress.  Veteran status doesn’t guarantee a good congressperson, one with statesmanship, stewardship and concern for all of the people.  We need the good ones.

Putting People’s Needs First!

Ernest Lineberger

Denton County resident, candidate for congress