WASHINGTON D.C. – Yesterday, Senator Andy Kim held a virtual town hall lifting up the voices of New Jersey veterans and highlighting the importance of service as America approaches its 250^th anniversary. This weekend’s town hall continues a yearly tradition started in 2019 of Senator Kim hosting a veterans town hall around Veterans Day.

Senator Kim was joined by special guest speakers Commander Stephen Kosloski of the US Navy, Commander Dan Cahill of the US Navy, and Staff Sergeant Jim Fleischmann of the US Air Force. Throughout the hour-long event, each guest reflected upon their time in uniform and spoke about what public service means to them as America approaches its 250th anniversary of independence.

“For us to celebrate the importance of our veterans, it’s important that we take time out to listen to them,” said Senator Andy Kim. “Their stories and lessons learned are a reminder that service is what has kept our country safe; it’s also a reminder that as we approach our nation’s 250^th anniversary, that service is what could bring our country together.”

Over 200 veterans and New Jerseyans tuned in virtually to listen in. You can watch the entire virtual event HERE.

Highlights from the Town Hall include:

On caring for our veterans and having their backs:

Senator Kim: “To our veterans – we owe you a debt of gratitude that we can never repay…It’s a very simple promise that we make, which is that you serve our nation, you risk your life for us, and we should then have your back for the rest of your life and for your family. And whether it’s about challenges of economic opportunity or mental health or physical health or any number of other things, we haven’t always gotten it right and we often fall short. As long as I am your US Senator, I will do everything I humanly can to try to help both individuals as well as try to fix the broader problems to make sure that we have the kind of support and follow up care that each and every one of you deserves.”

Senator Kim: “[Veterans care] should not be a partisan issue. That should just be an American issue – something that we all recognize is part of our responsibility to those who carry the burden of protecting our country. And so, that is something that I commit to yet again, and I hope all of us do it. Not just for elected officials and for government officials. All of us should be able to think through what we can do to try to care for our veterans, our service members that are doing so much for our country.”

On ways serving in the military was worthwhile and ways the military has changed as America marks its 250th anniversary:

Commander Stephen Kosloski, US Navy: “Veterans have never backed away from a challenge or mission when our nation has come calling. Our answer has always been yes. Since before 1776, we’ve always answered our nation’s call and I can only see us continuing to do so as we go forward. My generation is just an example; My son’s generation will do the same thing and we’ll keep this nation running well.”

Commander Dan Cahill, US Navy: “The sailors I lead now in the navy – they’re gonna carry the Navy into this next 250 years. And what I am today is a culmination of all those who serve before me and have influenced my leaders and influenced the folks that I’ve had the honor of leaving, so the tradition of the Navy will continue and everybody who has served adds a little bit to the next generation.”

Staff Sergeant Jim Fleischmann, US Air Force: “I think [serving was worthwhile] – for one thing, once you join the military, you grow up, you have to grow up. When young people go in the military, they really have had not a whole lot of responsibility in their lifetime, but you learn quickly that people will depend on you, what you have to do and it’s as everyone else said, you become a family. Everyone knows that you’re required to do so much and contribute…what’s the next 250 years gonna be? I don’t have a crystal ball, but [civilians] gotta realize that the technology has changed drastically. The missiles, the rockets are all computer controlled; they fly drones; they do all kinds of things that we never had before.”

On ensuring that food pantries on Joint Bases have enough for service members going without pay during this shutdown:

Senator Kim: “We have people in the service that are struggling to help support their families. I’ve been trying to push to get healthcare for all of our troops, including our reserve, which isn’t guaranteed to them and that’s something I hope we can address and fix. The, on the shutdown side – I mean it’s honestly offensive that members of Congress and the President get paid while others don’t. I’ve foregone my pay because I, you know, I worked as a career government civil servant before working through shutdowns before without getting paid…but also just in the future we should never have the collateral damage of our troops and public servants not being paid.”

On why conversations like today’s are so important:

Senator Kim: “There are no questions that we’re having divisions and disagreements…and we’ve been through very turbulent difficult times in the past. And what helps us get through them has always been about a recommitment to public service, a recommitment to this country and its values, and a recommitment to that idea that we’re part of something bigger than all of us and that’s something that our service members, our veterans, know first-hand because they were willing to risk their lives for something that was bigger than them individually.”

Senator Kim: “[Today’s discussions] are the kinds of conversations we should be having as a country…doesn’t matter political party, ideology, all of us coming together; to be able to talk about things that we know we have in common. Yes, we have disagreements, but there’s a lot in common that we have. A lot that we recognize is important for us and I think that this town hall is something that can stand out.”

Senator Kim has been delivering for American service members and veterans since he first took office. He previously served as the Ranking Member on the House sub-committee on Military Personnel where he worked to deliver the largest pay increase for service members in generations and fought to protect service members healthcare and reproductive rights while serving in uniform. Now, as a current member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs (HSGAC), Senator Kim continues fighting for our service members every day. 

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