A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.”               John F. Kennedy

Memorial Day is a somber occasion, first set aside in 1868 for the nation to remember and honor those who had died in her battles.  Originally called Decoration Day, it was commemorated with wreaths and bouquets on the graves of the fallen from the Civil War.  One hundred forty years later, Memorial Day still gives America pause to reflect on the sacrifice of the men and women who, in world wars, conflicts and police actions, as invaders, defenders, occupiers, peacekeepers and humanitarians, have given the last full measure. Yet this year, even as we honor their sacrifice and mourn their loss, America remains torn by a war which has brought more than 4,000 of its finest to their final rest.

What makes this somber day even more so is the fact that so little has changed since last Memorial Day.  We’ve had another year of a senseless and militarily unwinnable war; another year of body bags and broken bodies coming home; another year of our young men and women being deployed and redeployed; another year of our nation’s financial resources being squandered at the expense of so many needs here at home.  

We continue to hear strongly voiced viewpoints: anger and outrage, sorrow and fear and pride and gratitude and patriotic fervor.  But in all that, there has never been hint or suggestion of anything less than profound concern and respect for our men and women in the armed forces.  No matter how those who brought us this war have tried to spin it, supporting our troops has nothing at all to do with endorsing a disastrous foreign policy.     

This year, as we salute the fallen men and women from a new generation, and those who have gone before, it is altogether fitting that we pledge to them and to ourselves to honor their sacrifice every day. 

One of the most meaningful actions I can take as a leader in the United States Congress is to continue working to keep the promises we’ve made to our men and women in uniform, to our military veterans, to reservists and members of the National Guard, and to our military retired. 

We promised to furnish our troops with the best equipment and training in the world.  We promised safe and decent housing for their families.  We promised our National Guard and Reserves that their active duty time would be used wisely.  We promised that every military veteran who needs healthcare would have access to the VA medical system.  We promised to expand education benefits for everyone who met the active duty requirement.  We promised our military retirees that the pensions they earned with their service would not be offset by their disability benefits. 
It is beyond comprehension that we have to fight the head of our own government to try to keep these promises.  These are actions we should take because maintaining the best-trained, best-equipped force is essential to our national security; and , even more importantly, because it’s the right thing to do.  But, if we must fight to keep our promises, it’s a fight worth fighting, and I certainly have no intention of backing down.

We have told our veterans that we’d provide for their needs if they were willing to put themselves at risk, even of their lives. They have kept their part of the bargain.

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