Rep. Martha Roby, who represents Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, is an American patriot. She is a servant of the country, who is passionate about her support of America’s men and women in uniform and the country’s veterans.

However, Roby told members of the Brundidge Rotary Club Wednesday that she had never fully understood what it means to be in service to one’s country until her recent trip to the Middle East.

Roby traveled throughout the Middle East in early April as part of a Congressional delegation led by Speaker of the House John Boehner. The purpose of the trip was to evaluate the rising influence of ISSIS and Iran and to examine the potential impacts on United States’ interests at home and abroad.

While in that distant land, Roby received a call from her husband telling her that their young daughter had broken her arm in three places and surgery was required.

“I started to cry,” Roby said. “I was halfway around the world from my little girl. She was hurt, and I couldn’t be with her. I couldn’t stop crying.”

But Roby’s husband, Riley, reminded her that her situation was indicative of the sacrifices that come with service to one’s country – the kind of sacrifices that are made countless times over by those who serve.

He also reminded her, “You’ll come home Friday.”

“That was such a precious moment,” Roby said. “I was going home Friday.”

Roby said her thoughts turned to those who can’t ‘go home Friday’ and must continue to serve through times of hardship.

“I have so much respect for our men and women in uniform,” she said. “And, every day, I thank them.”

On the trip to the Middle East, the Congressional delegation visited Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Israel. The delegation met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in Amman, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

Roby said the one thing that unites the Middle East countries that often do not speak kindly of each other is their disdain for Iran and their determination that Iran will never have nuclear weapons.

Roby said the world is void of leadership and it is important that the United States step up and take the lead and that America’s commitment to Israel be reaffirmed.

“Our military posture has never been more important,” she said. “ISIS and Putin are raising their ugly heads in an attempt to seize power in the world.”

Roby said the trip to the Middle East reinforced the need for strong American leadership in order to destroy ISIS and prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Roby also spoke passionately about the “disgusting” treatment American veterans receive from their government.

“We should not stand by and let our veterans be treated that way,” she said. “It’s time to shine light on the fullness of the problem. Things are not getting better. They are getting worse. Stay tuned on that.”

Roby is serving her third term in Congress. Prior to her election to represent Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, Roby worked as an attorney and served on the Montgomery City Council.