Commentary: Tennessee Legislators Supporting Our Veterans with the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act

When I first put on the uniform, I knew it was a calling. I dedicated 21 years of my life to the U.S. Army, leading soldiers who counted on me just as I counted on them. That commitment didn’t end when I transitioned out of the military. Instead, it shaped the way I live my life today.

As a veteran with 100 percent disability myself, I have walked alongside veterans who feel forgotten, trapped in a system that was meant to support them but instead puts up endless roadblocks. I’ve spoken with men and women struggling to access the benefits they have rightfully earned, facing long delays and overwhelming bureaucracy. These are not just statistics; they are real people, my brothers and sisters in service, who deserve better. Too often, the system designed to help them leaves them in limbo when they need assistance the most.