Virginia’s 8th congressional district is home to over 50,000 veterans and active duty service men and women. I am proud to represent a district with such a strong ethic of service. As the son of a 92-year-old Korean War veteran, I am deeply committed to caring for those who sacrifice to protect our freedoms. My father used the G.I. Bill and put his education and skills to work in what became our family business. Our nation must continue to provide those who serve in the military with the necessary resources to adjust to civilian life.

It is very important to me to recognize the tremendous sacrifices veterans have made to this nation. One form of recognition is building stronger bonds between local veteran communities and the friends and neighbors for whom they fought. I am proud to host a Veterans Town Hall at American Legion Post 176 in Springfield, Virginia this Veterans Day, November 11, from 2– 3:30 p.m.

Each veteran will have time to make brief remarks about what their service means to them, either through a story, message, letter home, or commendation. Battlefield scars, whether mental or physical, heal slowly. I hope that by sharing their story of pride, grief, or anger, and giving voice to their concerns and challenges, our veterans will help their civilian neighbors better understand and appreciate the tremendous sacrifices military service demands. Non-veterans are encouraged to attend, listen and learn.

I would be honored if you would join me on Friday, November 11. Please RSVP to attend through Eventbrite.

Some of the most important ways that we repay our veterans include small business loans, housing assistance, and education funding. Many of our civilian industries in Northern Virginia thrive under the management or with the assistance of veterans.

I promise to continue Northern Virginia’s proud legacy of support for our veteran community. This Congress, I joined a number of measures to ensure our veterans receive equal and honorable treatment for their service, including the Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act, the Restore Honor to Service Members Act, and the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act.

The 8th District of Virginia is home to the Pentagon, the Marine Corps Memorial, the Navy Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery. I take great pride in the fact that we are surrounded by symbols of our nation’s support for veterans, and I am committed to making sure that our government’s symbolic recognition is matched by our care for veterans.

Rep. Beyer can be reached through his website at www.beyer.house.gov, on Twitter @RepDonBeyer or his office at (202) 225-4376.