[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 168 (Tuesday, November 10, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11334-S11336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              VETERANS DAY

  Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, on November 11, 1921, exactly 2 years 
after the armistice that ended the First World War, a brave soldier was 
laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
  His grave was marked, not with a name, but with the inscription 
``Here rests in honored glory an American soldier, known but to God.''
  Like all of his brothers in arms, this soldier left his home and his 
family to defend his nation in an hour of need.
  Perhaps he was a factory worker or a farmer or a businessman.
  Perhaps he had a wife and children; perhaps not.
  But whoever he was in civilian life, he heard the call--as many have 
done before and since--and he took up arms in defense of our liberty.
  He laid down his life that others might live free.
  He gave what Lincoln called ``the last full measure of devotion.''
  And today, although his name has been lost to the ages, the power of 
his sacrifice endures.
  It is a sacrifice that every American veteran has been prepared to 
make, if duty should require it.
  As we observe Veterans Day this November 11, let us express our 
thanks and appreciation for those brave veterans who are still with us.

[[Page S11336]]

  And, in doing so, let us remember this man who was brought to his 
rest exactly 88 years ago.
  He reminds us of the dear price of freedom--a price which all 
veterans must be ready to pay.
  These men and women put their lives on the line to defend the United 
States.
  We must recognize and honor the enormity of such patriotic devotion.
  So let us celebrate the heroes who walk among us--our grandparents, 
our parents, and our children. Our friends and our neighbors.
  Let us honor their sacrifice. Let us express our support, our 
friendship, and our gratitude for the service they have rendered to 
their country and all its citizens.
  Their stories are woven into the story of this Nation.
  These men and women have become a part of something greater than 
themselves--greater than all of us.
  More than two centuries ago, when a tyrant from across the ocean 
refused to grant basic freedoms to his subjects, a brave few decided to 
claim it for themselves and for their countrymen.
  When Europe was consumed by violence and genocide--when a dictator 
seemed poised to march across an entire continent--a generation of 
Americans rose to this threat and joined with our allies to save the 
world from oppression.
  From the hallowed fields of Saratoga and Gettysburg, to the muddy 
trenches of France, to the rugged Korean peninsula--
  From the humid jungles of Vietnam, to the arid sands of Afghanistan, 
and Iraq, and every theater of combat in between--America's veterans 
are the valiant protectors of American liberty.
  We must never forget our servicemen and women--those who fought 
bravely and returned home, and those who perished on the field of 
battle.
  Our freedom is their legacy.
  And, just as we ask them to make great sacrifices for our Nation, so 
this country owes them a deep debt of gratitude.
  We must give our veterans nothing but the very best.
  As a member of the Veterans Affairs and Armed Services Committees, I 
will work with my colleagues to make sure we keep our promises to those 
who serve.
  This means increasing educational benefits through programs like the 
Post-9/11 G.I. bill.
  It means stepping up impact aid support to military communities.
  And it means providing high quality healthcare to every single 
soldier, sailor, airman, and marine who puts on a uniform.
  I will not stand for anything but the best. And I urge my colleagues 
to join me in renewing this commitment.
  These men and women answered the call in America's hour of need.
  And now America must be ready to answer in their hour of need.
  Colleagues, let us see this Veterans Day as a time to remember--a 
time to celebrate the heroes of all wars, and to honor their service 
and sacrifice.
  But let us also see this Veterans Day as a challenge for the future.
  Let us see it as a time to keep our promises, and to fight for those 
who have fought for us.
  Eighty-eight years ago, a brave soldier was laid to rest at Arlington 
National Cemetery under the inscription ``Here rests in honored glory 
an American soldier, known but to God.''
  And although we call him the Unknown Soldier, in reality he is 
anything but unknown.
  He is our countryman--our brother--our protector.
  He is every American soldier, past and present.
  His sacrifice lives in our freedom. His service is carried on by all 
those who wear the American flag into combat, and all who perish under 
its standard.
  My friends, this Veterans Day is a time for remembrance and 
celebration.
  It is a time for American heroes.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to take advantage of a 
unique opportunity to recognize and thank those who hold the 
distinguished title of ``veteran.'' It is because of their service, 
their commitment, and their sacrifice, that our country is what it is 
today, a great nation which stands for freedom and which shines as a 
beacon of hope and opportunity to the rest of the world.
  Ninety-one years ago today, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 
11th month of 1918, the hostilities of World War I between the Allied 
nations and Germany, ceased. While the commemoration of this day was 
originally known as Armistice Day, later being renamed as ``Veterans 
Day,'' the purpose and intent has never changed. President Woodrow 
Wilson, in 1919, expressed his thoughts of this day, and they ring as 
true today as they did nine decades ago:

       To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be 
     filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in 
     the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, 
     both because of the thing from which it has freed us and 
     because of the opportunity it has given America to show her 
     sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the 
     nations.

  In Alaska we have the distinct pleasure and honor of having the 
largest per capita percentage of veterans of any State in the Union. We 
call them our neighbors, our coworkers, and our friends. Our 
communities benefit from the experience and expertise which they have 
brought home with them from their time in the service of our Nation. 
Today, while they may wear different clothing in place of a uniform, 
their service continues as they provide leadership and skill within the 
State of Alaska.
  As we reflect on the service of heroes who have served our country in 
conflicts past such as World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the 
Persian Gulf war and others, we would be remiss if didn't also pause to 
honor the dedication of the men and women who are putting their lives 
on the line today to protect our freedom. This includes not only those 
serving in Southwest Asia but also those still in Kosovo, those still 
standing watch of the Korean demilitarized zone, and those serving and 
sacrificing in countless other countries and regions around the world.
  Today, we also mourn. We mourn those veterans who made the ultimate 
sacrifice in the defense of freedom. This year, Alaska lost several 
members of our military community in the Afghanistan and Iraq 
conflicts. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the families of our fallen 
service members.
  Finally, I would like to recognize a group who often isn't honored 
enough: the families and loved ones of America's veterans. These are 
the folks who have had to see their loved ones sent away to war zones 
and who worried about their well being every second, of every minute, 
of every day until they returned. These are the folks who have had to 
singlehandedly manage the household and deal with the car, the washing 
machine, or the heater invariably breaking the second that their spouse 
departed. These are the folks who firsthand deal with the invisible 
scars and injuries of war, such as PTSD, when their loved one comes 
home. The family members of our veterans are heroes who bravely serve 
our Nation and rightfully deserve our recognition.
  I am honored to have the opportunity to stand among my colleagues 
here on the Senate floor and proudly state that while we know that 
words cannot express the gratitude that a grateful nation has for its 
veterans, with a common voice we want to say thank you.

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