Mr. Brassard and Ms. Wagantall, thank you for your kind words.
You're absolutely right. This is the point we're trying to make, that the people who are the first responders to veterans are their families. Military service takes a toll on the veteran and their family.
We believe with this report and this study we have done that; we have demonstrated very clearly that this gap exists. There is work to be done to fill that gap. It requires some commitment to do that.
If we agree—and I can't state this more plainly—that the family serves while the veteran or a military member serves, and if we say we're going to take care of the veteran when they become ill or injured, then how can we not extend that to their families and do it in a way that recognizes who they are? They are not just part of the furniture and effects. They are individuals, children who need to grow up and who sometimes need help to make that transition into adulthood successfully to become citizens of our country. This is the heartbreaking part to those of us who understand this.
It's heartbreaking to hear these stories, as you could tell, and we would urge the government to please take the necessary steps to fill this gap.