More than a century ago, President Abraham Lincoln signed a law establishing a new agency dedicated to the support of our Civil War veterans. Its mission was "to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan." Today, our Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) provides essential services to 22 million Americans who have served in the armed forces.
All Americans are indebted to our veterans for the enormous sacrifices they have made on our behalf. These men and women took an oath to defend the Constitution and served dutifully to preserve our way of life. Like their valiant forebears who humbled dictators and liberated millions from oppression, they exemplify what is best in our country.
