Thank you to our veterans and active-duty military personnel!

We will never forget your service, valor and sacrifice.

Dear neighbor,

This Monday marks our nation’s 70th annual Veterans Day. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our veterans and our military personnel in active duty. This is a day of solemn respect and remembrance of those who have sacrificed everything for our nation, our communities and our loved ones. Freedom and democracy are never guaranteed. As your state representative, I am able to serve the public because of those who stepped up to serve our country.

It’s important that we thank our military families as well. I know first-hand the uncertainty, worry and grief that is part of being a military spouse, child, sibling or parent. My two late brothers, Thomas and Kevin Johnston, were American heroes. Tom answered the call to service during WWII, and he became a Navy medic off the coast of Japan. I remember hearing stories of his time overseas and his unwavering belief in our nation, liberty and the fight against injustice. My other brother, Kevin, followed in Tom’s footsteps and joined the Marine Corps Flight Program. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, flying over 300 missions. Sadly, Kevin passed away at the age of 48 due to Agent Orange defoliant exposure after serving two years in the Pentagon. My brothers put their lives on the line to defend freedom both at home and abroad.

I am unbelievably grateful for the veterans in the Tippecanoe County community, and I will never forget their importance. When our veterans return home and transition to civilian life, they continue to be active volunteers in our schools, food banks and other services. Veterans, thank you for your sacrifice, bravery and selflessness. I hope God continues to bless our troops and their families.

In service,

Sheila Klinker