Today, November 11, our country celebrates Veterans Day. I will interview a West Michigan World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Oliver Poest, for the Veterans History Project, and participate in a Veterans Day Ceremony in Holland. How will you honor our veterans today?

One of my proudest moments in office is the opportunity to meet with and thank 2^nd District veterans and their families for sacrificing so much to serve their country and protect the freedoms we all enjoy.

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting several World War II veterans, who as part of the Honor Flight Network, were visiting the memorial on the National Mall dedicated to their service. I was deeply humbled to be present as they saw their memorial for the first time. Honor Flights work to help every veteran in America, willing and able to travel, to visit their national memorial.

Last week, I also had the honor of meeting and thanking Marine Sgt. Cory Gritter, of Holland, and got the opportunity to hear his story while we toured the U.S. Capitol.

As the son of a disabled World War II veteran, I know how important it is for veterans to be able to put their experiences on record for future generations. In October, I met with West Michigan veterans, those who supported war efforts and their families as they shared their war-time stories and experiences through the Veterans History Project. For more information on this great program, please visit www.loc.gov/vets.

I also have the opportunity to present a number of service medals to men and women from West Michigan, and did most recently at the USS LST 393 in Muskegon. I encourage anyone from the community to come out and show support for these individuals when we conduct medals ceremonies in the future. You can find upcoming events at my website, huizenga.house.gov. If you or a relative are interested in receiving your service medals, I encourage you to contact my Cadillac office at (231) 775-0050 and speak with Jordan Kowalkowski for more information about how to start the application process.

One of the most important things I can do in Congress is support our men and women in uniform as they return from their service. The House has passed, and I have proudly supported, several bills for our veterans, including giving them the honors they deserve, protecting veteran-owned businesses, and allowing student veterans to stay in school.

I am committed to work during my time in Congress to ensure that the men and women who have served or are serving in the U.S. military are afforded the respect that they deserve and the benefits and services that they need. It is their selfless sacrifices that make America's freedoms possible. Please join me this Veterans Day in honoring the selflessness of those who have served.