Today we remember soldiers of past and current wars who have been resolute in their commitment to spread liberty and democracy, including the thousands of American troops currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the beginning of World War I we have lost over 600,000 proud American soldiers in combat. These brave men and women chose sacrifice over self – choosing to rebuild civil societies and restore social and political equality throughout the world.

As we observe Memorial Day, let us take time to renew our commitment to the men and women in our Armed Forces. Having served as a Vietnam War-era veteran, I know what it means to promise to serve our country. In return, our government promises to take care of our troops when they return home. As we unite to honor our soldiers, we must ensure that our pledge to them is more than just lip service.

Currently over 500,000 veterans have pending claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Fifty thousand have waited over six months for health care. Here in California, over 38,000 veterans are still paying the disabled veterans tax, even after the Republican Congress claims to have ended it. These problems will only get worse with the growing numbers of soldiers returning home from Iraq.

Although the President and members of Congress will tour the country this weekend in support of our troops, sadly, their money is not where their mouths are. The President put forth a budget this year that offers only $104 million more for veterans than last year’s – falling $3.5 billion short of what is needed for veterans’ health care. These staggering numbers demonstrate that our commitment to our veterans has not mirrored their commitment to protecting our great democracy.

Congress must ensure that our pledge to our nation’s bravest men and women is more than just words. First, we must completely eliminate the disabled veterans’ tax and fully fund veterans’ health care. The medical inflation rate is twice the overall inflation rate and Congress must provide funding that matches these increases. By simply lowering the President’s tax cut for millionaires by only 8%, we can free up an additional $2.6 billion. It’s a small price to pay for the freedom that we enjoy everyday.

We also must not forget the families of those who are serving. During this difficult period, our nation should realign our priorities to ensure that those serving our nation are taken care of. The families of our troops are undergoing hardship while we are at war, and we must take care of them.

To all of our soldiers past and present, we give our thanks. For those who have fallen, we remember and honor you today and everyday. For those still in action, we honor your sacrifice and await your return home. We are proud of you and we thank you for making America great. Because you were willing to stand for this country, Americans live in freedom today. God bless you and your families.