November 11th is Veteran's Day; a time to recognize the service and sacrifices of U.S. veterans. While Memorial Day serves to honor military members who died in service to their country, today we honor the bravery and sacrifice of all American veterans.

Immigrants contribute something special to our military. I've had the pleasure of speaking with immigrant service members, and they told me that it an honor to serve their adopted nation and its people. They talk about this country with deep respect, and you can hear the gratitude and appreciation in their voices when they discuss having the opportunity to serve.

The uniform is the great equalizer. Immigrants' native tongues, upbringings and past experiences may be different from that of U.S. citizens, but once that uniform is on, those differences disappear. America's immigrants stand shoulder-to-shoulder with native-born citizens for a shared purpose: to protect our great country.

While Veterans Day is our opportunity to thank our brave men and women for their service to our country, we would be remiss if we didn't spend a moment remembering the 13 people killed on November 5th in Fort Hood, Texas. Two of these soldiers came to the United States as children. These immigrants chose to serve their adopted country, and in doing so, paid the ultimate price.

President Obama closed his Fort Hood memorial speech with the following remarks--perfect words for Veterans Day.

"So we say goodbye to those who now belong to eternity.  We press ahead in pursuit of the peace that guided their service. May God bless the memory of those that we have lost."

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

"I did not knowingly hire any illegal aliens."

- Sholom Rubashkin, former chief executive officer and vice president at Agriprocessors, responding to assistant U.S. attorney C.J. Williams during Thursday's trial in Sioux Falls. The former manager of the Postville, Iowa slaughterhouse and son of company founder Aaron Rubashkin testified that he never knowingly violated federal immigration laws.

House Representative Zack Space wants foreign countries to foot the medical bills incurred by undocumented immigrants in the United States.

Yesterday, Space introduced the Preventing All Your Bucks from Aiding non-Citizens is Key (PAYBACK) Act. Under the new bill, 110% of the costs of treating undocumented immigrants would be withheld from any foreign assistance provided to another country. If the United States does not offer any foreign assistance, the country would be billed for 110% of the medical costs. If we happen to be in debt to the foreign country, the amount of the debt would be reduced by 110% of the costs of caring for the foreign country's citizen.

"I am absolutely opposed to taxpayer dollars being used to support benefits and services for illegal immigrants," Space said. "It is fundamentally unfair and outrageous to foot the bill for immigrants unlawfully in the United States. The bill I intend to introduce will allow taxpayers to be reimbursed for the cost of care and services provided to illegal immigrants in our hospitals."

All funds collected under the PAYBACK Act would be transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the purpose of strengthening border security.

What do you think of Space's proposed legislation?

Photo: Barry Williams/Getty Images

Finally, more than a year after Congress voted to repeal the HIV travel and immigration ban, the policy barring HIV-positive immigrants from entering the U.S. is finally coming to an end. The regulations were published Monday in the Federal Register, which will be followed by the standard 60-day waiting period prior to the new rule taking effect.

President Obama announced the elimination of the ban during last week's signing of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. Following are the President's comments regarding the HIV travel ban. From the White House blog:

"Twenty-two years ago, in a decision rooted in fear rather than fact, the United States instituted a travel ban on entry into the country for people living with HIV/AIDS.

We talk about reducing the stigma of this disease yet we've treated a visitor living with it as a threat. We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic, yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people with HIV from entering our own country. If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it.

And that's why, on Monday my administration will publish a final rule that eliminates the travel ban effective just after the New Year.

Congress and President Bush began this process last year, and they ought to be commended for it. We are finishing the job. It's a step that will encourage people to get tested and get treatment, it's a step that will keep families together, and it's a step that will save lives."

Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images