The men and women that comprise our national defense are the finest, bravest, most intelligent service members found anywhere, at any time in history. Put simply, they are a resource that reflects all that God has blessed our nation with, and we owe them the tools and resources to carry out their mission...where ever that may be in the world.

We deploy them away from their families and loved ones to fight our wars in foreign lands so those who would do us harm don't do so on our soil. Their sacrifice is always--at the very least--significant, and at the very most--ultimate. They willingly re-enlist or seek commissions because they're made of a patriotic fiber that is rare and unique...and something that only one of their own can understand.

Plato said "Only the dead have seen the end of war." Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines readily acknowledge this and, despite the risk, lay all that they are at the foot of liberty's altar. They give so much and ask so little in return--our grateful nation will forever be indebted to our military.

Recognizing that there is validity in "Peace through Strength" and that a dynamically-changing world requires us to vigilantly "Trust but Verify," I fully support our military, their global missions, and full funding for all necessary activities, resources, and training to keep them the finest fighting force in the world.