Answering the call to serve in the military is becoming less common, but it remains an act of courage, according to U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.). In a statement ahead of Veterans Day, Boozman emphasized the importance of honoring and supporting veterans, especially the more than 200,000 who live in Arkansas.
“We will always be proud that Arkansans from all walks of life continue choosing this path and make sacrifices to protect our freedoms and way of life,” Boozman said. “Veterans Day is a time for all Americans to honor and remember this truth. While we can never fully repay our former servicemembers, we can keep our promises to them. That is a solemn responsibility to the more than 200,000 proud veterans who call The Natural State home.”
Boozman highlighted progress made in strengthening benefits and services for veterans and their families. He noted his work on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee supporting bipartisan initiatives for this community.
“And as chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), our panel works hard to deliver key investments that enhance overall care and increase resources for our veterans,” he said. “We’ve made great progress on my efforts in telehealth, women’s health initiatives, medical innovation and modernizing VA electronic health and IT systems.”
Mental health support for veterans remains a top priority for Boozman due to higher suicide risks among former servicemembers compared with civilians. He referenced legislative measures such as the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Grant Program, which he co-authored with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), aimed at expanding mental health outreach.
“They are at a much higher risk of suicide than the general civilian population, which is why we have pushed several measures aimed at fighting this epidemic,” Boozman stated. “The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Grant Program I authored alongside Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) doubles down on mental health outreach in veteran communities. We are now working diligently to extend it and continue reaching those in crisis.”
He also discussed efforts to simplify VA healthcare scheduling processes so that veterans can access timely care from both VA facilities and community providers.
“In light of that, I am championing policies to simplify the VA health care scheduling process and expedite access to community providers so getting timely, quality care will be easier than ever,” he said.
Boozman pointed out ongoing oversight regarding implementation of recent laws such as the PACT Act—passed in 2022—which provides benefits for those suffering illnesses linked to toxic exposure during service. He also cited modernization efforts around breast cancer screening technology tailored toward female veterans.
“One example is the PACT Act, which became law in 2022, ensuring veterans afflicted with toxic exposure illnesses are eligible for benefits related to treating those conditions,” Boozman said. “Others include efforts I led to modernize breast cancer screening policies and technology to support our nation’s growing population of female veterans.”
The senator further mentioned his office’s involvement with recording oral histories through the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project (VHP). This initiative marks its 25th anniversary this year; Boozman’s team has interviewed about 100 Arkansas veterans while training over 1,200 residents on participation methods.
“The Veterans History Project, a Library of Congress initiative to record and catalog the oral histories of veterans, is celebrating its 25th anniversary,” he noted. “My team has been proud to interview and submit the stories of around 100 Natural State veterans while training over 1,200 Arkansans to engage with it, including conducting interviews themselves.”
Reflecting on his upbringing among many who served in uniformed roles within his community—and how these experiences shaped his priorities—Boozman concluded by encouraging public appreciation beyond just November 11:
“On November 11, as our nation celebrates Veterans Day, I encourage every Arkansan to demonstrate our sincere appreciation for their service and sacrifice year-round.”
