COLUMN: The High Price of Freedom

This Memorial Day, we pause to reflect and remember the members of the Armed Services who have served and given their life for our country. For those who have lost a family member, loved one, or comrade, this day has added significance for remembrance, but as Americans, we all honor these heroes for their sacrifice, given to protect our freedom.

We also honor the flag under which these men and women died for the liberty it represents. The flag is flown in communities across the country as a symbol of the nation and values defended by servicemen and women who never returned home.

From Air Force Maj. San D. Francisco of Burbank, who died in 1968 in Vietnam, to Marine Sgt. Dietrich Schmieman of Richland, who lost his life in 2017, we honor all service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I have met and spoken with the family of Maj. Francisco and have been working with the Department of Defense to recover and return his remains to Central Washington. Additionally, I have introduced legislation that would designate a postal facility in West Richland as the "Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman Post Office," to commemorate Sgt. Schmieman's memory and service. This gesture may seem small, but I can say it is significant to the families and friends of fallen soldiers who gave everything for our freedom.

We also honor the living veterans by ensuring they receive the quality care and benefits they have earned. As of this writing, Congress has sent the VA Mission Act to President Trump for his signature into law. The legislation would improve the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and invest in long-term success for veterans. The VA's mission is to serve those who have served our country, and this bill reauthorizes and expands the VA Choice Program, giving more options for care to veterans in rural areas like Central Washington. The legislation also expands caregiver benefits and provides a process to evaluate and reform the infrastructure of the VA to better serve those who need it most.

I was proud to support the VA Mission Act, as well as several other veteran-related bills that passed through the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. For example, H.R. 3832, the Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act, takes steps to minimize veterans' risk of addiction by creating a program to monitor and avoid over-prescribing opioids, which has led to tragic overdoses. I will continue to support legislation that benefit the millions of Americans who have served this country.

Every day we should honor and show our gratitude to these brave men and women, but on Memorial Day, their sacrifice is brought to the forefront of our minds and our hearts. May God bless them, their families, and their loved ones.