Page 58 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2021- Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES

BILL MULDER'S LEGACY LIVES ON

As We Help Veterans Transition

FROM

actIve duty

by: Jodey Arrington, U.S. Representative (TX-19th District)

hen our veterans answer Bill’s story highlights
the call to serve our nation, a serious challenge
Wthey selflessly run toward for our veteran
conflict to protect the freedoms we community. While
hold dear. Sadly, when these heroes our government
return home from war, it doesn’t spends billions of
always mean that the conflict is over dollars preparing
for them. There is often a battle that citizens to be
continues to rage on – one that no warriors on the
one can see. battlefield, it invests
only a fraction of that
My good friend and fellow Plainview helping those same
Bulldog, Bill Mulder, was one soldiers transition back to civilian make improvements to the Transition
of those who struggled with the life. Assistance Program (TAP) and the
invisible wounds that often plague overall transition process for service
our soldiers when they return. In Congress, I made it a priority members.
to help equip our servicemen and
Bill was tough, strong, and women on the front end of their These programs can help our heroes
courageous. If he were to stand transition in order to reduce the with the challenges of transitioning
between you and me and the enemy, number of veterans who struggle to civilian life and help them create
we’d be safe, and the enemy would with unemployment, homelessness, a new sense of purpose while
be scared – for good reason. But, after and suicide – because an ounce of equipping them with the tools to be
20 years as a combat Navy SEAL, prevention is better than a pound of successful in the marketplace.
Bill bore the invisible scars of battle intervention.
and struggled to make that transition Our veterans represent the very best
from active duty to civilian life. One of the things I’m most proud of America, and their service and
of in my time in Congress is that I sacrifice is an inspiration to all of us.
Like many veterans, Bill’s greatest was able to help carry Bill’s legacy
fight wasn’t on the battlefield; it was forward by authoring the NAVY We owe it to our veterans, like my
the struggle that often ensues from Seal Chief Petty Officer William friend Bill, to make this transition
the mental, emotional, and physical “Bill” Mulder (Ret.) Transition from active duty to civilian life
wear and tear of military service. Improvement Act. seamless and successful so they can
Tragically, we lost Bill just a few maximize their greatest God-given
months after he retired from serving Last December, President Trump potential as civilians and continue to
our nation with distinction. signed this legislation into law to lead more fulfilling lives.

58 Lubbock Senior Link