This year we highlight the female veterans currently serving in, or newly elected to, the Democratic caucus in the U.S. Congress. As if their military service wasn’t sacrifice enough, these women returned to civilian life and jumped right back into the fray! They have a very tough road ahead in the upcoming Congress and we applaud their dedication to duty. The oath they take in January will be the same as the one they took at their induction ceremony. It states in part: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic . . .” Their oath will be to the Constitution, the supreme law of the land . . . not to a person . . . not to a party . . . not even to the flag. We are a nation of laws. Let’s keep it that way.
U.S. House of Representatives:
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA) — Air Force
Member-elect Maggie Goodlander (NH) — Navy Reserve, intelligence officer
U.S. Senate:
Sen. Mikie Sherrill (NJ) – Navy
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (IL) — Army Reserve, National Guard
Duckworth served four years as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army Reserve before joining the Illinois National Guard in 1996. While a member of the Guard, Duckworth deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2004, Duckworth’s helicopter was shot down, leading to the amputation of both of her legs. She was later awarded the Purple Heart. She retired from the Guard in 2014 at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
That list should be a lot longer: There were several excellent female candidates with military backgrounds who ran in the recent election but lost, often to decidedly inferior candidates. We thank you all for your time and effort. Running for office in this political climate must have been horrendous, complete with threats to you and your family. Your courage and resolve has not gone unnoticed. Please run again.
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has a list of military veterans in the current House. See also the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
(Seen here is the Fox Point Veterans Memorial)