 by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski May 23, 2003
These words, spoken by President George W. Bush 48 hours before Operation Iraqi Freedom began, were driven home for me last week as I visited with two Army corporals at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. These two men, both from Fairbanks, were injured as they fulfilled their oath to assure our national security and protect our freedoms. Unlike countless other soldiers, these two courageous, young men will be able to return home to their friends and families after their injuries are healed. Over the course of our Nation's history, more than 41 million Americans have served the cause of freedom and almost two million have died in its name. Today, on this Memorial Day, I pause to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our Nation, including more than 150 Americans who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is fitting that all Alaskans join the rest of the country in honoring the sacrifices that countless fathers, brothers, sisters, and mothers have given in support of the freedoms we enjoy and that our country inspires. Even as we work to rebuild Iraq and create a democracy that allows Iraqis the freedoms we know and love, we should never allow anyone to forget the sacrifices that our veterans have made. The approximately 62,000 veterans and 45,000 military and dependents in Alaska know what it means to risk their lives and stay the course each day for the cause of freedom. Just like the two corporals from Fairbanks, I know that Alaskans have and always will be at the forefront of protecting our nation's ideals and security. We can never do enough to thank these men and women and our fallen heroes and their families for their dedication and sacrifices. Alaskans realize the importance of celebrating Memorial Day, but part of thanking our veterans is passing on to future generations the importance of the sacrifices made by men and women they will never meet. By making sure that those who have paid the ultimate price in the defense of liberty are never forgotten, we will be giving the most fitting tribute to these Americans who fought to protect our freedoms and way of life.
Note: Lisa Murkowski is a United
States Senator (Republican - Alaska).
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sitnews.
|