WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) spoke on the Senate floor to honor the men and women who have chosen to serve our country.

To watch Senator Blackburn’s speech, click below or here.

You can read the transcript recorded in the Congressional Records below or click here.

Madam President, when most Americans think of the

sacrifices that our veterans made in the name of defending freedom,

they think of those brave men and women running toward the danger. We

are grateful that, in their hearts, they have that desire, but as

anyone who knows or has worked with veterans knows, they also make

sacrifices that really never bubble to the surface or come to our

attention. Not only do they sacrifice their own safety, they give up

their personal independence, the comforts of home, their relationships

with friends and family, their spouses, and their children.

  Think about what an extraordinary decision they have made--that the

safety and security of their fellow countrymen is worth more than

losing those precious days. They have made that choice. They put that

service and that sacrifice in front of their desires, in front of the

desires of their family. They are, indeed, called to serve.

  These are the people whom we should be looking to for comfort and

inspiration during difficult times. They really do have experience in

that category. They have made those sacrifices, and they have made

those choices knowing that it wouldn't be easy and knowing that they

may not come home, but, when they do come home, that sometimes it is

tough. It is tough to get back in that groove of where you were, to

rekindle those relationships.

  Our younger veterans, in particular, were painfully aware of this

when they put on the uniform. But do you know what? They still made

that choice to serve.

  Here in the Senate, we have backed legislation that really has made

things easier for so many of our veterans.

  When I was in the House, I was honored to help shepherd passage of

the VA MISSION Act, and I was grateful to see that receive bipartisan

support here in the Senate. It has, indeed, streamlined many of the

processes in the VA healthcare system.

  Last month, I introduced a bill to provide doula services to improve

maternal health outcomes for our female veterans, a population that

every single month continues to increase.

  Back in August, I introduced a bill that will allow our K2 veterans

to obtain the special health screenings they need to check for cancer

and other illnesses caused by exposure to toxic substances in

Uzbekistan.

  In fact, this has been a great year for veteran support. We have

passed--or are very close to passing--legislation that will improve and

simplify doctor-patient relationships, recordkeeping, and mental health

services, and will make those and other important benefits more

accessible to our veterans and their families.

  If you are not already supporting these efforts, I encourage my

colleagues to support this legislation.

  As the week draws to a close, I would encourage everyone to seek out

veterans' stories and to internalize the knowledge that the sacrifices

they made were for us. There is so much we can learn from those who

have served. There is so much that they have done to help preserve our

way of life and our freedoms. It is so much that they have done for the

values and the institutions--things that really do transcend politics.

  I reached out to many of our veterans this week and had great

conversations and heard from veterans online.

  I heard from William, a Tennessean who proudly served in the Air

Force. He said his service was ``the best decision of his entire

life.''

  I also heard from Greg, who served as a C-130 crew chief in theatre

during Desert Storm. He put off his college education when he was asked

to serve.

  And I would be remiss if I did not recognize the veterans who are

currently serving in our office: Dana Magneson, John Clement, Jay

Strobino, Dr. Karen Summar, and Paris Cervantes.

  I thank each and every one of them for their service and for the

continued work that they do on behalf of all Tennesseans.

  These brave men and women represent the hope of a nation and our

promise to the rest of the world that, no matter what, the United

States stands ready and willing to answer the call.

  I yield the floor.

  I suggest the absence of a quorum.