Washington, D.C. – Representative Pat Ryan expressed concerns on Sunday regarding the growing gap between the less than 1% of Americans who are active-duty service members in the U.S. military and the rest of the country. He emphasized the importance of bridging this divide to strengthen democracy.
During an interview on “Face the Nation” prior to Memorial Day, Ryan, a veteran, highlighted the need to bring together those who are involved in military service and their families with the broader population. He stressed the significance of increasing participation in service to address this issue.
Ryan, along with his congressional colleagues, has been advocating for measures to enhance recruiting efforts within the military branches. Their efforts are aimed at addressing the challenges faced in meeting recruitment targets across the different branches of the military.
One notable initiative that Ryan participated in was the bipartisan tradition of hand-washing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to commemorate Memorial Day. This practice, initiated by Rep. Mike Waltz, aims to honor and remember the sacrifices made by veterans from various backgrounds.
Waltz, a veteran and Republican from Florida, emphasized the importance of unity among lawmakers with diverse experiences in recognizing the contributions of past generations. He highlighted the value of collaboration among veterans in promoting a shared sense of duty and purpose.
Both Ryan and Waltz underscored the importance of increasing representation of veterans in Congress. They emphasized the need for individuals with military or national service experience to have a stronger voice in shaping policies that impact Americans.
Waltz also advocated for a broader interpretation of service beyond the military, suggesting opportunities for national service in various forms such as environmental conservation, education, and caregiving. He proposed incentivizing young people to engage in a year of service post-graduation to cultivate leadership and promote a sense of community.
In rethinking the concept of service in the country, Waltz emphasized the value of instilling values of leadership, discipline, and collaboration among the younger generation. Both lawmakers emphasized the importance of collective action in fostering a spirit of service and unity among Americans.