In a closely contested election like the one we are still working through, our shared institutions become that much more meaningful.

That is why it was such an honor this week to begin the final interviews for the United States Service Academy nominations. Our nation’s service academies demand the highest academic and physical discipline and it is one of my great joys as a senator to see nominees graduate and succeed in their respective branches.

This week we also celebrated Veterans Day, a moment to thank our soldiers, bot past and present, for all the sacrifices they made for our country.

If you are a veteran or the loved one of a veteran, please remember that members of my staff stand ready to help you with: assistance obtaining military records and medals; assistance getting updates on benefit claims; assistance communicating with the VA; and many more services.