Dear Friends,
Last week, ten Americans—including a former Navy SEAL—were released from unlawful detention in Venezuela. Their freedom marks the end of a long ordeal as political prisoners of the Maduro regime, and a reminder of what makes America truly exceptional.
Americans must always know their government and their military will do everything in its power to bring them home, no matter what the circumstances may be, whether they are a prisoner of war or a citizen held by a hostile foreign government or terrorist group. In his first six months as Commander-in-Chief, President Trump has made the return of unjustly detained U.S. citizens a top priority. This latest prisoner swap ensures that every American wrongfully held in Venezuela is now where they belong—with their families, with their loved ones, and home in the country that never forgot them.
We at Veterans On Duty commend the Administration’s tireless efforts to uphold this commitment—not just as a matter of diplomacy, but as a reflection of our national character.
The promise of American exceptionalism lies in how we value the life of every citizen and the deep conviction that one American—whether they’re a Navy SEAL or a kite surfer—is worth moving mountains for. America never turns its back on its own, and will never stop fighting to fulfill the promises of liberty for those who have been deprived of its grace.
This commitment to ensuring freedom is unique, a fact not lost on those who have suffered through detainment abroad. In the words of the late John McCain, who endured years as a prisoner of war at the hands of the North Vietnamese: “In prison, I fell in love with my country,” he recalled, “It wasn’t until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her.”
Veterans On Duty welcomes home those recently freed from captivity. Let us not forget those Americans still being held captive against their will, including by Hamas in the ongoing conflict in Gaza – We stand with all Americans still unjustly imprisoned abroad with hopes for their swift and safe release.
Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook—and help spread the word by sharing our newsletter with friends, family, and veterans in your community. Together, we can keep America safe, strong, and free.
Signed,
Hooff Cooksey
Executive Director, Veterans On Duty
