“Puerto Rico’s veterans and active military deserve a government that ecognizes their sacrifice, allows them to return with dignity, and offers them services and opportunities to help them assimilate back into civilian society.”
~Governor Luis Fortuño
One of the federal government’s most important responsibilities is to provide for the country’s national defense. This is a charge that the U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and on the mainland take very seriously. The Island currently has a greater percentage of its sons and daughters serving in the U.S. military than all but one U.S. state or territory (Nevada). Additionally, Census figures estimate there are between 150,000 and 160,000 military veterans residing in Puerto Rico.
Despite Puerto Rico’s enourmous contribution to this nation’s defense, men and women from Puerto Rico who now serve, or who once served, in the U.S. military face certain disparities. This inequality is particularly noticeable within the TRICARE military health program.
Military and veterans’ issues were a top priority for Governor Fortuño during his tenure on Capitol Hill, and he is equally committed as Puerto Rico’s Chief Executive. He is working hard with Resident Commissioner Pierliusi to mitigate or eliminate these disparities.
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