By U.S. SEN. MARTIN HEINRICH:

In New Mexico, the tradition of serving our nation runs deep. Time and again, New Mexican service members and military veterans have put our country first. They have served at home and abroad, and they have fought for what it means to be American.

We owe our service members and their families more than lip service. They put their lives on the line to fight for America’s promise of freedom. Just like they fought for us, we must honor and fight for them here at home.

Honoring that service means rehiring fired workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs. It means telling the story of service and sacrifice by heroic New Mexicans, including Navajo Code Talkers. And it means paying our service members, who should never be pawns in any federal shutdown.

To all New Mexican veterans and military families, and to the service members who continue to defend our freedoms: Thank you for your courage. On this Veterans Day, I commit to standing up for you and your families, honoring your commitment and getting you the resources you need most.