Fellow Veterans, Military Families, and Friends,
It was a tremendous honor to moderate Saturday’s Veterans Roundtable at the Veterans Integration Centers (VIC) in Albuquerque, bringing together veterans, community advocates, and leaders committed to improving the lives of New Mexico’s veterans and military families.
I was especially honored to be joined by:
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy Captain, decorated combat aviator, and former NASA astronaut who flew 39 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.
Deb Haaland, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and candidate for Governor of New Mexico. Deb comes from a proud military family. Her father was a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran awarded the Silver Star in Vietnam, and her mother served in the U.S. Navy.
State Representative Debbie Sariñana, a U.S. Air Force Reserve veteran, Vice Chair of the Legislature’s Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and a longtime champion of veterans and military families.
Our discussion centered on a simple but powerful idea: We can do more for our veterans by working better together.
New Mexico has outstanding people and organizations providing healthcare, housing assistance, behavioral health services, food assistance, and other critical support. But too often, those resources operate independently, leaving veterans and their families struggling to navigate a complicated system.
We need stronger coordination among the VA, federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private healthcare providers.
Better coordination means fewer gaps in care, less duplication, more efficient use of taxpayer dollars, and most importantly, better outcomes for veterans and their families.
A special thank you to the Veterans Integration Center for hosting us and for the extraordinary work they do every day helping veterans facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other challenges. And thank you to the many Veterans Service Organizations, advocates, and community partners who continue to answer the call to serve.
As a Marine Corps veteran and Chair of the New Mexico Veterans and Military Families Caucus, I believe our responsibility doesn’t end when someone takes off the uniform.
Veterans shouldn’t have to fight another battle just to receive the services they’ve earned.
We have the resources. We have dedicated people. Now let’s strengthen the partnerships, connect the services, and make the system work better for those who served.
Better Care. Smarter Coordination. Stronger Support.
Semper Fidelis,
