[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H1636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN SERVICEMEMBERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. DeSantis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DeSANTIS. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 10-year anniversary of 
the start of combat operations in Iraq. Most of discussion in this town 
focuses on politicians, pundits, and writers. And while I don't 
begrudge people the ability to indulge in those types of debates, I do 
think what has been missing is a tribute to the sacrifices that have 
been made by American servicemembers.
  Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War wrote:

       This extraordinary war in which we are engaged falls 
     heavily upon all classes of people, but most heavily upon the 
     soldier. For it has been said, all that a man hath will he 
     give for his life; and while all contribute of their 
     substance the soldier puts his life at stake, and often 
     yields it up in his country's cause. The highest merit then 
     is due to the soldier.

  The Iraq conflict is much different than the Civil War. One of the 
ways it is different is that the burdens fell perhaps even more 
directly on our American servicemen and -women. After all, we did not 
have, and do not have, a military draft.
  Most of the folks who were going over there volunteered, and a lot of 
them knowing that they would be sent to places like Iraq and 
Afghanistan. Many of our servicemembers did multiple combat tours, not 
just for 4 months or 6 months, but 12 months and 15 months, in very 
hazardous duties.
  And what did they volunteer for? This was not a piece of cake. These 
were very difficult fights against an enemy that by and large dared not 
show its face. The enemy preferred to blend into civilian society and 
wreak havoc with improvised explosive devices and suicide vests. This 
was a daily reality for our men and women who were on the ground during 
this period.
  When direct combat operations did occur between U.S. forces and the 
enemy, they were often fierce fights in urban centers in the streets of 
cities like Ramadi and Baghdad.
  And, of course, being on multiple deployments and being gone for so 
long provided the opportunity for a lot of stress on families. It is 
difficult to be in a situation where you are missing a holiday. Some of 
our troops had to miss multiple holidays over multiple years. That is a 
sacrifice both for the folks who have to be back home but also for the 
troops who are on the front lines.
  So Lincoln said: ``The highest merit is due to the soldier.'' Indeed.
  As we look back on the 10th anniversary of Iraq, what we see are 
soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who were given the most 
difficult of tasks and yet they discharged their duties with courage 
and skill. Henceforth, nobody will be able to recount the great feats 
of some of our services, such as the Marine Corps, from the shores of 
Tripoli to Belleau Wood to Guadalcanal, without also mentioning the 
great feats performed by brave marines in places like Fallujah.

                              {time}  1010

  When recounting the unparalleled skill of our Special Operations 
Forces, credit will have to be given to those Navy SEALs who ruled the 
night during Iraq's most perilous moments.
  So, for braving the storms of war with honor, tenacity and 
distinction, we thank you, the American servicemember, for the 
sacrifices you made on behalf of our country; and for those who gave 
the last full measure of devotion, you have earned a place in the 
pantheon of America's greatest heroes. We thank you for your service 
and your sacrifice.

                          ____________________