DOT honors America's veterans in many ways

Veteran's Day offers our nation a way to say, "Thank you," to the brave men and women who have stepped up to serve America under the most dangerous conditions. Just as our veterans have honored us with their service, we pause in our day-to-day routines to remember all that our servicemen and women have done to honor their sacrifice.

So earlier today, Deputy Secretary John Porcari represented the Department of Transportation at the groundbreaking of the American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial. This is the first permanent public tribute to more than three million living disabled American veterans and the countless others who have died, and I am thankful that Deputy Secretary Porcari could represent us.

Rendering of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.

And tomorrow, Maritime Administrator David Matsuda will lay a wreath at the World War II Memorial. Merchant mariners played a vital support role in that war, carrying supplies and troops through hostile waters around the globe. More than 6,000 mariners lost their lives.

Currently, more than 85% of the supplies and equipment for the conflict in Afghanistan and the ongoing work in Iraq are carried aboard ships crewed by civilian mariners. And every cadet at the US Merchant Marine Academy joins the US Naval Reserve, ready to pitch in wherever duty calls. We at DOT are very proud of the service merchant mariners provide.

Now, an annual celebration of America's veterans is important; their service in defense of freedom and democracy must never be forgotten. But at DOT we also believe that honoring veterans is a responsibility we should fulfill every day.

That's why we actively encourage veterans to join the ranks of DOT professionals serving America across the country. Blog readers may recall the Federal Highway Administration's Scott Vycital, a battle-wounded soldier who was honored by President Obama at his first State of the Union address last January. I have been so impressed by Scott's story and his work at FHWA's Central Federal Lands division that I am determined to make DOT a federal leader in hiring wounded warriors.

Meeting with Scott Vycital, a battle-wounded veteran, and his wife, Jarah.

We are also extremely proud of DOT professionals who have joined America's military forces in times of conflict. At last week's Secretary's Awards ceremony, it was an honor for me to present the Operation Enduring Freedom-Operation Iraqi Freedom Service Award to several DOT employees, including veterans Andrew Alexander, James Eric Ferron, William Norris, Daniel Q. Nguyen, and Jerome Steber. Their willingness to put aside their DOT careers and leave their loved ones behind on behalf of US efforts abroad is a remarkable testament to the spirit that makes America great.

Finally, at DOT we have an Office for Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, and one of the key elements in their mission is to support the use of veteran-owned and service disabled veteran-owned businesses on federally funded projects. Whether helping contractors find veteran-owned subcontractors or helping veteran-owned businesses secure the financing they need to compete for transportation projects, OSDBU stands behind America's "vetrepreneurs."

These are just some of the ways the Department of Transportation tries every day to support those who have served America so bravely. I hope that on Veterans Day everyone will take the time to honor their service.

Comments

[Michael E. Bailey]

It is great the support that DoT gives to so many veterans. Today, most of our city offices were closed and a major celebration held out at the community center. We have alot of veterans that live in the community. And we have on c ity staff lots of members of the Guard, the Reserves, and veterans. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Teresa Breen]

Our son JB was 23 a United States Marine, brother and father of a then 2 year old little girl. It was a beautiful Sunday March 15, 2009 and we had had a wonderful day with our son. However at 9:22 p.m. my cell phone rang (and to this day I do not know who it was/is) and it was someone asking me if I knew a John Breen and they told me that there had been an accident and that we needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible; however when we arrived they already had him loaded into the helicopter to transport him to a larger hospital that “might” be able to help him, this hospital was an additional 45 minutes away… We NEVER got to see our son alive again and there are NO words to tell you the feeling as a mother how it feels to not be able to “FIX” that boo-boo, moms can fix anything and when that doctor told us he was sorry they did all they could do, it is just not right …. This is something that NO parent should have to go through, NO parent is supposed to bury a child. People said how can you let him join the Marines at this time when there is a war and we told them he can die here at home or die with honor but we NEVER thought it would be because of a little 2x4 inch device. Not 24 hours before his accident his father told him to “Put that phone down, it is controlling your life” and then we get the call no parent or anyone wants to get. When we found our son’s phone and got it working again it started to flash indicating that a message had not been sent and the message was “Yeah T”. He was going to meet a friend for supper on Tuesday we later found out but all he managed to type was this. Our son was ejected and died of a massive skull fracture. His little girl now just has pictures of her daddy and all we have are memories and his clothes to hold… This is not right… Parents need to wake up and also adults need and realize this is an epidemic and is taking over our lives… If you don’t do it GREAT but what about the driver in the car you pass or passes you, are they texting??? Look at your last text and tell me, is it worth dying over of killing someone else??? Our son was just 23 preparing to go fight for our freedom when this needless accident happened.

Teresa Breen

[edgar pellew]

I would like to know why the laws regarding transporation vary state to state? As a Disabled Veteran married to an active duty member we are on the move every 2-3 years. I have to navigate the various transporation laws based on the state in which I live.

I currently live in Texas and we plan on moving based on military orders to the State of Florida. I am a disabled veteran at 90% for the state of texas but moving to Florida I would not be considered a disabled veteran at less than 100%. I recently reviewed the State Of Florida's determination of what a disabled Veteran is and it is totally different from Texas with regard to licience plates and liciences. It is extremely frustrating to me to see the different laws with regard to the transportation and definition of disability. How is it possible that the Department of transportation does not regualate the state laws on veterans?