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Today is the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. To celebrate this monumental occasion, NTD News interviewed Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Douglas Collins to talk about the army, the military, the VA department, and the Secretary’s personal faith.

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The Epoch Times, sister media outlet of NTD, shares some key moments from the interview:

The country will celebrate the Army’s founding with a military parade in Washington, which Collins believes is an important event for members of all armed services, past and present.

…

Collins said every person who has worn the uniform stands in the line of patriots who served their country, dating to the Revolution.

“They’re tracing their lineage back to the citizen soldier who went out and said, ‘We’re going to be a country. We’re not going to be told what to do,’” he said.

Secretary Collins also discussed some of the steps he has taken to reform the VA:

As an example, Collins cited a significant reduction in the number of disability applications that had not been processed within 200 days. The backlog had reached more than 260,000 during COVID-19 and had remained largely unchanged. Collins directed his staff to work intently on that issue.

“We’re under 200,000 for the first time in over two years,” Collins said, a reduction of 25 percent.

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The agency has also reformed its service to Gold Star families, those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

The Secretary said that he hopes people will look back on his time with the VA to conclude “that he made a difference.” He also stressed how important his faith is to making a difference, likening it to a pair of glasses he wears.

“I can see, technically, without my glasses. But when I put my glasses on, I see much clearer,” Collins said.

“My faith is that way.

“For me, faith is all. Outside my savior, Jesus, I have nothing.”

Secretary Collins said that today is an occasion for Americans to give thanks for those who offered their lives in protection of our nation. Let’s thank God for the U.S. Army, as well as for every man and women who serves and has served in our nation’s military!

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(Excerpt from The Epoch Times. Photo Credit: 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment)