Here in South Georgia, just like in every community across this great nation this month, we paused to honor the heroes who’ve served our nation in the military.
I was recently honored to speak at a Veterans Day Assembly at Williams Heights Elementary School in Waycross recently, joining others in the community to pay tribute to our veterans. For me, this day holds a deep personal meaning.
Growing up, our family moved often, following my father’s military assignments. That experience gave me a firsthand understanding of the unique challenges and profound sacrifices made not just by the servicemembers themselves, but by their families. We learned early on when one person serves, the whole family serves alongside them.
As your State Representative, I see the thread of military service woven into the fabric of our state:
• Members of the Legislature with a history of service;
• Our 13 military installations around the state, including Moody Air Force Base, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Fort Stewart, and Hunter Army Airfield in South Georgia;
• Efforts by our communities and our legislature to make Georgia a great place for military men and women and their families to call home — while in uniform and as veterans.
Efforts to serve veterans continue in Washington as well where our Veterans Administration is led by Doug Collins, a fellow Georgian with his own record of service in the military, the Georgia Legislature, and United States House of Representatives.
Secretary Collins and his team have made great strides in improving the service the VA provides, and will continue to do so.
I’m an eternal optimist about the future of this country, and that optimism is rooted in the character of the men and women who volunteer to protect it. They step forward knowing the cost, not for fame or fortune, but out of a simple, profound belief in the American ideal.
My colleagues in the State House work hard year-round to ensure Georgia is the best state in the nation for veterans and their families, addressing everything from professional licensing for spouses to educational benefits for their children.
But Veterans Day is about more than policy, it’s about gratitude.
So, when you see a veteran, offer a “thank you for your service.” But also take a moment to ask them their name and hear their story if they’re willing.
Let them know their sacrifice — the missed birthdays, the holidays spent apart, the risks they took, the friends they lost — is not forgotten.
Burchett represents Georgia House District 176, which includes Atkinson and Lanier counties, as well as portions of Coffee, Lowndes and Ware. He was first elected to the seat in 2019, and currently serves as the House Majority Whip for the Republican Party.
