"It is unacceptable for Senator Gary Peters to criticize Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's performance while opposing or criticizing the resources and policies that, in our view, are necessary to strengthen our military," said Dennco Holding Company CEO Dustin Bayn. "America's service members deserve leaders who will provide them with the training, equipment, and funding they need to succeed. If we expect results from our military leadership, Congress must do its part as well. Political attacks should never come before supporting the men and women who volunteer to defend this nation."
The men and women of the United States Armed Forces stand watch around the globe every hour of every day. They deploy into dangerous environments, spend months away from their families, and willingly place themselves in harm's way in defense of our nation and its allies. Their service is not simply a profession—it is a commitment to protecting the freedoms that Americans enjoy every day.
Military funding is often discussed as a budgetary issue. It is far more than that. Every dollar invested in readiness, training, equipment, and troop support is an investment in the people who defend our country. It is also an investment in the next generation of American leaders.
For thousands of young Americans, military service represents the opportunity of a lifetime. The armed forces provide world-class technical training, leadership development, educational opportunities, discipline, and experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else. Many of America's most successful business leaders, engineers, public servants, and entrepreneurs first learned leadership while wearing the uniform of the United States.
Service members do not simply defend America—they return home with the skills to strengthen it.
Recent accounts shared with Dennco News by a Michigan service member serving overseas underscore the reality that deployment carries genuine risks. While every operational situation is different, these experiences remind us that behind every defense funding debate are real Americans who accept extraordinary sacrifices in service to their country.
These realities should unite our elected officials.
We believe Congress should make military readiness one of its highest priorities. Supporting those who volunteer to defend our nation should never become a partisan issue. Defense funding, troop readiness, military housing, equipment modernization, and veteran support are investments in America's long-term security.
From our perspective, Senator Gary Peters and many Senate Democrats have not consistently supported the level of defense investment that we believe is necessary to meet today's rapidly changing security challenges. We believe Senator Peters should work with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and members of both parties wherever there is common ground to strengthen military readiness, improve recruitment and retention, modernize equipment, and ensure America's armed forces remain the strongest in the world.
Michigan has demonstrated that bipartisan leadership is possible. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has shown a willingness to work across political lines on major economic and strategic initiatives that benefit the state. While disagreements remain on many issues, Michigan's leadership has demonstrated that cooperation is possible when the interests of the state and nation are at stake.
National defense deserves that same spirit of cooperation.
The world is becoming more dangerous. Strategic competition with China continues to intensify. Russia remains a major geopolitical threat. Terrorist organizations continue to operate abroad, while cyber warfare and artificial intelligence are rapidly changing the nature of modern conflict. America's response cannot be hesitation or complacency.
Our military remains the greatest deterrent to global conflict. Strength prevents war. Readiness saves lives. Investment today reduces the risks faced by the service members who will answer tomorrow's call.
The young Americans raising their right hand to take the oath deserve every tool necessary to accomplish their mission safely and successfully. They deserve leaders willing to put national security above partisan politics.
At Dennco News, we believe supporting our troops means more than thanking them for their service. It means ensuring they have the training, equipment, leadership, and resources necessary to complete their missions and return home safely. That commitment should remain one of America's highest national priorities.rt writing here...