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The use of male pronouns in a quote from former President Abraham Lincoln has led the Department of Veterans Affairs to officially change its mission statement. On Thursday, the VA announced a new motto:

“To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers and survivors.”

The original 1959 mission statement was lifted from Lincoln’s second inaugural address:

“To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.”

The VA said the new mission statement is “inclusive of all those who have served — including women.”

“In crafting the new mission statement, VA surveyed roughly 30,000 Veterans. Among Veterans surveyed, the new version of VA’s mission statement was chosen over the current version by every age group; by men and by women; by LGBTQ+ Veterans; and by white, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian and American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans,” the VA said in a press release.

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