Press Releases

In honor of Veterans Day, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following video message to celebrate the generations of veterans who have served our great nation.

Ranking Member Bost's message can be viewed here or read, as prepared, below:


Madam Speaker, I am proud to join my friends and fellow veterans today to honor the generations of men and women who have served this great nation.

From the “greatest generation” of veterans to our youngest generation of veterans, we are undeniably lucky to have men and women who are willing to lay down their lives for others.

This Veterans Day comes exactly two months after the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack.

For 20 years, soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardsmen, Reservists, and Special Forces operators in and around Afghanistan prevented another terrorist attack on our homeland.

For 20 years, they made the world safer.

For 20 years, they gave the Afghan people a taste of freedom –

The freedom for Afghan women and girls to pursue an education and a career.

The freedom to play sports.

The freedom to be a Christian.

The freedom to live without oppression and terror.

Like generations of veterans before them, they spent days, months, and years thousands of miles from home.

They missed births, birthdays, weddings, funerals, anniversaries, and holidays.

They protected those they will never meet.

They looked our enemies dead in the eyes and refused to accept defeat.

As a veteran, a father and grandfather of active-duty servicemembers, and the lead Republican on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I could not be prouder of the millions of men and women who selflessly answered our country’s call throughout history.

This Veterans Day, I encourage all Americans to pause and remember those who have defended our way of life.

Their service should always be honored and celebrated.

We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

Last but certainly not least, I want to share a message for those who may be struggling.

If you or a veteran you know is going through a tough time, please reach out and ask for help.

It’s the right and brave thing to do.

Your service mattered.

You matter.

The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support to all veterans.

Simply call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.

Or text 8-3-8-2-5-5.

Or visit www dot veterans crisis line dot net.

May God bless our veterans, their families, and the United States of America.