Dear Friends,
Since our nation’s founding, we have understood that success on the battlefield cannot be achieved solely by American troops but by the combined might of our allied forces. From the Revolutionary War to firefights in the mountains of Afghanistan, our allies have fought alongside American warfighters as brothers in arms, defending freedom, liberty, and democracy.
This week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth traveled to Europe, underscoring the vital role our NATO allies play in securing American interests and defeating our shared adversaries. Similarly, King Abdullah II of Jordan’s visit to the White House on Tuesday reaffirmed the critical importance of our strategic partnerships in preserving regional security and global stability.
We must continue to ensure that these relationships remain not just symbolic, but strategically effective in deterring aggression and bolstering our national defense. This means deepening intelligence-sharing, expanding joint military exercises, and reinforcing our commitments with partners and allies who stand with us on the frontlines.
However, this burden cannot rest on America’s shoulders alone. As Secretary Hegseth said this week in Brussels, “expanding our defense industrial base capacity on both sides of the Atlantic” is critical, adding that “our dollars, our euros, our pounds must become real capabilities.”
Strengthening America’s ties with our treaty allies and partners is pivotal to our national security, provided those friends and allies pay their fair share of the defense burden. VOD is encouraged by Secretary Hegseth and President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to persuade our NATO allies to commit to greater defense spending, combat training, and ensuring that they follow through on their security commitments.
Veterans On Duty will continue the fight back at home, advocating for military and national security policies that will keep America safe, strong, and free. Stand with us in this mission. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, and share this newsletter with your friends, family, and fellow veterans.
Sincerely,
Hooff Cooksey, Executive Director