Op Ed: We must do more to support our military veterans across SC and the United States

In December 1968, the commander of a U.S. Army company in Vietnam came under intense enemy fire.

His men were in grave danger.

A helicopter had been downed.

Under heavy fire, the soldier organized a rescue team for the downed helicopter crew. The very next day he led his company in an attack on the enemy’s position.

At one point, without regard for his own personal safety, he exposed himself repeatedly to an intense fusillade of enemy bullets to draw the enemy’s fire away from his men.

Being at the front of the company and closest to the enemy, he directed aerial rocket artillery to within 100 meters of his personal position to keep the enemy at bay.

They were outnumbered 3-to-1, but together they fought courageously and eventually won the battle.

Just a young captain at the time, the soldier would go on to be inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame and write the book on how to be a Ranger — the Ranger Field Manual.

For his gallantry, he was the most decorated soldier to come out of The Citadel, South Carolina’s military college, which enabled him to ascend to the rank of Brigadier General.

That man is my father, Emory Mace.

Growing up I learned many things from him, and instilled in me were the virtues that he faithfully upheld both as an Army officer and as a father.

He stressed the importance of family, value of service, love of country and loyalty to those who are willing to sacrifice their lives to defend our nation and freedom.

What is also ingrained in me is the deepest respect and admiration for our U.S. Armed Forces, and the sacrifices shared by military families of all generations elicit greater meaning and adoration to the preservation of diplomacy and the national interest.

That’s why we must place a greater focus on prioritizing the methods taken to fulfill our nation’s commitment to enhance the quality and accessibility of veterans’ health care — as well as the employability of our service members as they transition out of uniform.

One of the greatest honors of my life is having the opportunity to support our veterans when they come home to South Carolina.

Last year I was a proud sponsor of legislation, signed by Gov. Henry McMaster, that established a Department of Veterans’ Affairs in our state.

My colleagues and I ensured that the legislation had a requirement that the secretary of South Carolina’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs must be a veteran — and also that all veterans, regardless of the wars in which their service may have been rendered, must be treated fairly and afforded the assistance and care they rightfully earned.

Just as I have done at the state level, I will continue to advocate and act on behalf of our veterans and their families as a member of Congress.

For some time now the Veterans Administration has faced challenges related to health care and patient services, and I will fight to solve these problems and cut down the bureaucracy to deliver the best care that our country has to offer.

As for many South Carolinians, this is personal for me.

In addition to my father, most of my family members are active duty or retired military. They have served our great nation, and I hold the lives of all who serve in the highest regard possible.

I will carry my sense of reverence for them and their families when I am in Washington, D.C. — both when voting on sending them to war and on providing them services when they return.

We must exercise greater judgment in how we do all of these things if we want to truly honor our veterans.

This was article originally published in The State on August 5.