‘We are so grateful for your sacrifice’: Taylor, fellow veterans show appreciation for service members

U.S. Rep. Van Taylor (R-Plano) and his fellow members of the For Country Caucus recently volunteered at an event hosted by Operation Gratitude.

Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization, makes it its mission to forge strong bonds between Americans and their military and first responder heroes through volunteer service projects, acts of gratitude and meaningful community engagements.

“Wow. What an incredible #MilitaryAppreciationMonth event yesterday with my fellow veterans on the For Country Caucus,” Taylor wrote in a May 19 Facebook post.

Nearly 20 military veteran Congress members make up the For Country Caucus, a group committed to working together to create a more productive government.

In recognition of Military Appreciation Month, the For Country Caucus joined dozens of volunteers to help put together 5,000 individually addressed care packages to be sent to service members currently deployed overseas. 

“Together, Republicans and Democrats teamed up with Operation Gratitude to help assemble thousands of care packages for U.S. service members overseas,” Taylor said. “Thank you to every single veteran who has served in Global War on Terrorism – we are so grateful for your sacrifice.”

A former marine, Taylor told Fox News in a statement that he “fully understands the incredible sacrifices made each and every day by members of our armed forces and their families.”

“It’s not easy for these young men and women to be away from their families and friends for long periods of time,” Taylor told Fox News. “Until our troops return to American soil, it is important we show that we stand by them. And as a Vietnam veteran, I know the importance of making sure our troops continue to feel supported even after they return home. The For Country Caucus is focused on supporting our service members at home and abroad.”

In April, President Joe Biden announced that all 2,500 currently remaining service members in Afghanistan must leave the country by Sept. 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center terror attacks, Fox News reported.

Taylor and the For Country Caucus have voiced their support for the construction of a national memorial in Washington D.C. to recognize the sacrifices of service members who have fought the war on terrorism.