On May 30th, Americans around the country and deployed overseas will pause to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
On May 30th, Americans around the country and deployed overseas will pause to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Memorial Day was first enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the Civil War and was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have fallen in all wars. Since 1776, these patriots have selflessly served to uphold freedom and democracy for their fellow citizens, and that tradition continues today.Our community is home to over 60,000 veterans and thousands of active duty servicemembers. We owe a great debt of gratitude to these individuals. Our nation has made a promise to those who have served in uniform to provide them with the best possible care when they return home from duty. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a past member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, I am committed to helping our nation fulfill that promise and have taken several steps to that effect on both the local and the national level.
On March 24th, I joined the House in passing H.R. 1627, the Honoring American Veterans Act of 2011. This sets the framework for monuments to be placed in Arlington National Cemetery. It also enforces the burial reservation policy at the Cemetery. Enforcement of the burial reservation process ensures any qualified veteran, regardless of rank, has the opportunity to apply for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. This legislation also expresses the House’s support for the placement of a monument honoring Jewish War Chaplains on Chaplain’s Hill in Arlington National Cemetery.
Furthermore, this bill honors the service, dedication, and sacrifice of all who are presently serving, and those who have served, in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. More than 5,500 service members have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom since 2001.
While we recognize the importance of our nation’s veterans and the fallen, we must also be grateful for the daily sacrifices made by our nation’s active duty soldiers. During my trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, I am continually amazed by the heightened spirit of our troops and the strength of their resolve. Though their morale is high, their thoughts are always with their families at home.
A high price has been paid by veterans of our nation’s armed forces throughout our history. Although there is no way that we can ever fully repay this debt, I encourage everyone to recognize on Memorial Day our nation’s armed forces, and their families for all they have done in service to our great nation.