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(Washington, DC) -- I am honored to be able to pay tribute each Memorial Day to the men and women who fell from the line, making the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We are not just the beneficiaries of their bravery; we must be the stewards of their sacrifice each and every day.
Throughout the history of our nation, brave men and women have answered the call to defend and protect our democracy. From the War for Independence to today in Iraq, I am inspired by the courage, professionalism and patriotism of our men and women in uniform. For many families, each Memorial Day will take on a more profound and personal significance, as they gather for the first time to mourn and contemplate the loss of one of their own.
Across the globe, more than 2.4 million of our nation's greatest, best trained men and women are protecting our freedoms. As a nation, our resolve must be to let their service renew our mission -- to build a future worthy of their sacrifice. Our mission begins with taking care of those who defended our country yesterday and caring for those who defend our country today. In doing so, we not only show our strength, but we show our greatness, as well.
Our greatness flows, in part, from how we care for those who have served in uniform. Just as our troops pledge to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, we must leave no veteran behind here, once they come home. World War II veterans waited 60 years for their memorial on the National Mall so that America's "Greatest Generation" would not be forgotten. Still other generations of veterans continue to search, not necessarily for memorials, but for peace, health, and security for themselves and their families.
Let us be mindful, though, that we are developing a new, "great generation" of veterans today. A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit injured and ill soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. This was an eye-opening and emotional experience, one of the most educational and moving experiences I've ever had in my life.
One young man I visited was a recent graduate of West Point. He had arrived at Walter Reed just the week before. I listened and watched his facial expressions as he relived the experience that led to him losing his leg. He recounted in vivid detail how his convoy came up alongside a Red Opel Hatchback, how he heard the blast as it exploded, how his Gunnery Sergeant was severely burned in the blast, how he didn't realize he'd lost his leg until he reached down and didn't feel it there. His words and expressions were so powerful, so disturbing.
At the end of his story he did not lament his misfortune, he only expressed regret that because of his injury, he had to leave the soldiers of his unit back in Iraq. This young man and his story illustrate that most of the young men in battle today, some not more than 18 years old, now join the ranks of seasoned Veterans. They are dedicated, loyal and passionate patriots who protect us so that our lives can remain comfortable and free. President Abraham Lincoln issued the nation a mandate many years ago. He said, ".to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan."
This obligation is not lost on us today, and we must rise to meet it, now and forever. We must keep our promises by renewing our efforts to fight for an end to the Disabled Veterans' Tax. The Disabled Veterans' Tax forces military retirees with service-connected disabilities to give up one dollar of their pension for every dollar of disability pay that they receive.
House Democrats have launched an effort to force a vote to end this injustice, once and for all. For those returning from the frontlines, Democrats are continuing efforts to fight to properly fund veterans' health care. With more than 85,000 returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan now seeking care, Democrats are fighting to provide an additional $3.2 billion to meet the demand. These efforts are part of a comprehensive New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.
In World War II, we honored the Greatest Generation through a Bill of Rights. In each major military conflict since (Korea and Vietnam), we have honored the service of our soldiers through a new GI bill. The GI Bill of Rights is a comprehensive benefit package for active duty veterans' and military retirees that ensure America will fulfill its moral obligation to those who have paid the high price for our freedom.
Our commitment must be one of action and not just words on Memorial Day and every day. We must make sure we demonstrate that commitment to our military families, veterans, and military retirees.
Let us be able to point to greater strides in fulfilling our legacy of care; for if we fail to do so, we will not have lived up to our potential as a great nation. God Bless America and all the men and women who have served and will continue to serve this great country.
I am always grateful for the input of my constituents. Your questions, thoughts, and concerns are important to me, so please don't hesitate to let me know about any issues you believe to be significant. I can be reached at my District Office, located in the Pembroke Pines City Hall, at 10100 Pines Blvd., 2nd Floor, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026. The phone number is (954) 437-3936. Our Washington, DC address is 118 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. The telephone number is (202) 225-7931 and my Web site is: http://www.house.gov/wassermanschultz
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