|
Dear [firstname], I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Veterans Day is an opportunity for El Pasoans and our nation to honor all of those who have bravely worn the uniform of the United States. Our country’s heroes have made invaluable sacrifices in defense of peace and freedom. Nearly 50,000 veterans in El Paso have served our country with valor and patriotism. Today, I want to take a moment to honor the brave servicemembers, highlight some of our very own El Paso veterans, and share with you some of the work I’m championing for our veterans. |
|||||
|
El Paso Heroes |
|||||
|
As I reflect on the sacrifices many of our heroes have made to protect our freedom and livelihoods, I want to share some of El Paso’s finest veterans. Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Hope Jackson, USA, Retired
LTC (Ret.) Hope Jackson’s life has been dedicated to serving our country and championing female veterans in El Paso. She honorably served our country for 20 years, with her assignments taking her to Korea, Southwest Asia, and Saudi Arabia. While serving in the Middle East, she was inspired to pioneer a Women’s Ministry that would provide spiritual as well as emotional support to the women stationed there. This inspired LTC Jackson to provide a helping hand to female veterans in El Paso through her nonprofit, the H.O.P.E Institute. The H.O.P.E Institute opened the first home exclusively for homeless female veterans, known as the Rutherford House of Peace. The H.O.P.E Institute provides the life skills and resources required for our “She-Roes” to transition from a place of dependency to one of self-sufficiency. LTC Jackson is the proud owner and managing broker of the Warrior Realty group in El Paso. This brokerage group donates 100% of its net profit to sustain operations at the H.O.P.E Institute. She currently serves as the Vice President of the newly formed El Paso Chapter of Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP). LTC Jackson was also appointed by the El Paso City Councilwoman for District 2 to serve on the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) and was inducted into the El Paso’s Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017. Sergeant Major (SGM) Benito Torres Jr., USA, Retired
SGM (Ret.) Benito Torres Jr. knew that he wanted to serve our country and his community from a very young age. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1988 as a Unit Supply Specialist upon graduating from high school. SGM Torres’ duty assignments took him to Europe, Asia, Middle East, Fort Jackson, Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, and Fort Bliss. He also deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ultimately, SGM Torres retired in 2016 from the United States Sergeant Major Academy with 29 years of honorable service to our country. Immediately upon retirement, he returned to public service by working for Texas’ 16th Congressional District. Benito currently serves as my Senior Caseworker, where he oversees all of my constituent casework inquires. Benito helps El Pasoans that need assistance with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and administers my office’s veterans and military affairs. I’m incredibly fortunate to have Benito on my team. He is a key team player who works tirelessly every day to ensure El Pasoans have the resources they need and deserve. If you have any casework inquires or need help with a federal agency, click here. First Sergeant (1SG) Richard ‘Breeze’ Britton, USA, Retired
1SG (Ret.) Richard “Breeze” Britton enlisted in United States Army in 1964 and retired in 1989 as an Air Defense First Sergeant with 25 years of honorable service to our country. He served with the Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and served two tours in Vietnam. Throughout his career and after, 1SG Britton always helped young soldiers move through the ranks and better themselves. He served as the commander of the American Legion (AL) Post 832 in El Paso, Texas from 2005-2008. In 2018, his work earned him a promotion to Division Commander, where he managed and was responsible for 108 American Legion posts in Texas. Now, he is the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission for the State of Texas and the 16th District Commander for the American Legion. He is also a member of the Honorable Angie J. Barill’s Veterans Court in El Paso County (346th District Court). Here, 1SG Britton and other service members help mentor veterans who have run afoul of the law to have a better life. 1SG Britton has been with the American Legion for over 30 years, working to take care of veterans and their families. He is happily married to his wife of 53 years and has three children and two grandchildren. Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Peter G. Flores, USAF
SSgt Peter G. Flores enlisted into the United States Air Force in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1955. He is currently the president of the Korean War Veterans Association in El Paso, Texas. While serving in the Air Force, he specialized as a camera repairman, photographer, and motion picture equipment operator. SSgt Flores has called El Paso home for over 80 years and has helped provide his fellow veterans hope for a better future. SSgt Flores has authored four books, one of which became a movie, and designed and illustrated the El Paso/Juarez Map Mural at the El Paso International Airport. He also contributed to the founding of the American GI Forum Paso del Norte Chapter, Legacy of Valor, and the El Paso County Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In his spare time, SSgt Flores makes small bird and dog houses in his woodworking shop. He has been happily married to his wife for 70 years and has 5 children. Although an armistice was signed, the Korean War never officially ended because there wasn’t a peace treaty. Upon returning home, Korean War veterans felt ignored, and as the years went by, felt forgotten by the American public. 70 years later, our veterans have not forgotten. Sergeant (SGT) Jimmy Melver, USA
SGT Melver was drafted in 1965 into the United States Army and served from 1965 to 1967. After his service to our country, SGT Melver returned to El Paso, Texas, and worked for El Paso Natural Gas for over 30 years. He has been happily married to his wife for 51 years. SGT Melver is known as the flagman in El Paso for his work and leadership with Flags Across America and the Old Glory Memorial. He has also served as the Director of the Northeast YMCA, the president of Flags Across America in El Paso, and is an active leader in the Northeast Rotary Club of El Paso (1339). He has not missed a single rotary club meeting in over 21 years. SGT Melver often reminds fellow El Pasoans about the Old Glory Memorial, where the 180 ft. flagpole flies a 5,000 square foot flag to remind us all the responsibility and importance of what it means to be an American. |
|||||
|
Championing Legislative Items for Our Heroes |
|||||
|
El Paso is home to a strong and growing veterans community and to Fort Bliss – one of the largest Army installations in the world that trains soldiers from across the country – and one of my top priorities is to protect and serve military families and veterans in the same way they have served our country and defended the freedoms we enjoy each day. I want to share with you some of the bills I have introduced during my first term in Congress to ensure El Paso veterans are represented and receive the resources they need. The Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020 I introduced the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020 to protect servicemembers, veterans, and their families. This bipartisan legislation will permanently establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. My legislation will make it easier for the Department of Justice to coordinate with the Department of Defense to ensure veterans' needs are met and protected from abuses such as fraud and predatory lending. To learn more about the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020, click here. The Honor Our Commitment Act of 2020 I introduced the Honor Our Commitment Act of 2020 to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide mental health care to veterans who received Other-than-Honorable (OTH) discharges. Combat veterans, sexual assault victims, and other servicemembers that risked their lives and suffered the wounds of war should not be denied care. This critical legislation will ensure that no veteran is left behind because they can’t cut through red tape and access the services they need and deserve. To learn more about the Honor Our Commitment Act of 2020, click here. The Ask Veterans Act I introduced the Ask Veterans Act to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract an experienced outside organization to conduct annual surveys of veterans’ experiences obtaining care at specific VA locations. We have a duty and responsibility to provide care to our servicemembers and veterans, and we must guarantee the care they receive is adequate and comprehensive. Unfortunately, I’ve heard from far too many servicemembers and veterans who have issues receiving benefits and care. To gain insight into veterans’ experiences in our VA’s and ensure transparency, we need to listen and take cues from our veterans directly. To learn more about the Ask Veterans Act, click here. |
|||||
|
Additional Legislative Support for Veterans |
|||||
|
Veterans served courageously and selflessly to keep our nation safe. It is only right that we honor our commitments to them when they return home to our communities. During my first term, I cosponsored over 40 bills that support servicemembers, veterans, and their families. I voted to advance nearly 60 bills in the House delivering enhanced transparency and efficiency at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and critical veteran benefits like a Cost of Living Increase, holistic medical and mental health care, and support to veteran students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. My unwavering commitment to our servicemembers and veterans will guide me as I enter my second term in Congress. I deeply value input from our district’s veterans and the opportunity to learn from them. Veterans and their families are always encouraged to reach out to my team to share their experiences. If there is anything my team and I can do for you, please email me at Veronica.Escobar@mail.house.gov, or call my office at (915) 541-1400. It is truly an honor to represent you in Congress. Sincerely,
Veronica Escobar |
|||||
| ### |
|