As a military veteran, I wish to salute retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski for her long term commitment to help veterans ("'Senator Barb' Mikulski nears retirement after 45 years in office," Dec. 25).
My late father was a decorated World War II combat veteran and retired chief master sergeant from the Air Force. Dad was a longtime Maryland resident and had ailing health later in life. He was using a bus service from Andrews Air Force Base to help him get medical care at Bethesda and Walter Reed Medical centers. Without notice, this bus service was stopped.
Dad called Senator Mikulski's office, and within weeks the bus service was restored.
Though this may seem like a minor help for veterans, it was a huge help for older veterans like my dad.
Ms. Mikulski said in her farewell speech to Congress: "For me, no issue was too small to take up and no cause was too big for me to take on." Dad was a staunch Republican but when it came to Senator Mikulski, he had nothing but praise and admiration for her.
In 2015, Ms. Mikulski was the first ever in Congress to be awarded the Disabled American Veterans' DAV Veterans Champion Award in recognition of her successful efforts to fight for VA benefits.
Hearing Senator Mikulski's powerful oratory was like listening to a modern day Patrick Henry.
She is truly a patriotic matriarch for our country.
May God bless you, Senator Mikulski, always.
Dr. John Meinhold, Portsmouth, N.H.