Letter to the Editor: Ilhan Omar has not forgotten veterans

Being a veteran can be a solitary experience and existence, especially as a Veteran who served under the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Too often we experience trauma, sustain injuries — both visible and invisible — and have to navigate how to fit back into society while also trying to navigate through patchworks of services and overwhelmed and underfunded agencies. It is representatives like Ilhan Omar that help us get the resources we need that gives me hope.

Since her first day in Congress, Ilhan Omar has had the backs of our veterans. In 2019, we launched our End the Forever War campaign, urging Congress to end the disastrous and immoral U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. Ilhan was one of the first members to join us in signing our End the Forever War Pledge and was a key voice in making our campaign a success. She understands that these endless wars destabilize countries and are unjust occupations that impact climate change, take funding away from our own communities and put the lives of those serving at risk. Ilhan is committed to a more peaceful and just foreign policy that supports communities across the US and the world. It has been an honor to work with her on ending the war in Afghanistan and in demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

When we return from our duties, we are often forgotten. The care and support for those serving has a stark line once we come home and complete our service — and for too many of our LGBTQ+ veterans who were unjustly discharged under 18 years of DADT, they are locked out of these critical resources altogether. Trillions are spent on war and funding genocide, but we can’t find the funding to ensure our veterans get the mental healthcare they need to work through their traumas of war, to find a job that provides a livable wage and find affordable safe housing after service. 

Ilhan does not forget about us - she has brought in $750,000 for the Renovation of Snelling Motel to Affordable Housing for Veterans and has pushed to expand the HUD-VASH program and Supportive Services for Veterans Families to eliminate homelessness among Veterans. She has fought for Medicare for All to increase access to mental health programs and opposed the privatization of the Veterans Affairs healthcare system, something that Trump and Project 2025 is giddy to do. She also supports expanding funding for physical and mental healthcare for veterans. She wants to make sure that when we hang up our uniform, we are taken care of. 

So when we look ahead to this November, we need to think about who has our backs as Veterans and human beings. We need to vote for the representatives and candidates that understand our needs and what our communities deserve. Ilhan Omar understands true patriotism. She fights for a better future for all of our communities — she is tirelessly working to ensure our children don’t go hungry, that our future generations have a cleaner, safer environment, and that everyone has access to basic human rights like housing and healthcare.

I am excited to vote for Ilhan Omar and to send her back to Congress this November. Ilhan’s endless advocacy for funding our communities, including our veterans, and commitment to peaceful and just foreign policies instead of funding wars, is the community care and responsibility we need from our politicians. I urge you to join me in voting for Ilhan Omar and our DFL candidates up and down the ballot.

Jacob Thomas, Minneapolis