[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2918-S2919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, this Monday, we will celebrate Memorial 
Day. Across our proud Nation this Memorial Day weekend, we remember the 
men and women of our Armed Forces who made the greatest sacrifice 
imaginable. Whether it was on the battlefield of Antietam, the beaches 
of Normandy, or in the mountains of Afghanistan, thousands of Americans 
have taken up the mission to defend our Nation, ideals, and freedoms at 
home and

[[Page S2919]]

abroad, knowing that they may not survive. This Memorial Day, let us 
pause to pay honor to their immense courage.
  I specifically remember the sacrifices of my fellow citizens from 
Maryland such as SPC Tocarra Green. She was the first woman from 
Maryland to die in the Iraq War. I remember SGT Erick M. Houck, a 
Baltimore native like me, who died in Afghanistan just last year. It is 
a remarkable notion that our fellow citizens were willing to pay such a 
high cost for our own freedom. They and those like them deserve every 
honor we can bestow.
  Memorial Day weekend often serves as an opportunity for Americans to 
spend time with friends and family. As we consider the cost of our 
freedom, let us also remember the families of our fallen, our Gold Star 
families. As we remember the sacrifices of our fallen servicemembers, 
we also recognize the tremendous loss to their families and admire 
their patriotism and perseverance.
  Despite all of these sacrifices, the struggle to preserve our freedom 
continues. Just as in times past, our enemies seek to threaten the 
freedom for which our American brothers and sisters have laid down 
their lives. These enemies don't just fight our troops on the 
battlefield; they have attacked the integrity of our electoral system 
and our freedom of speech while seeking to reverse our progress against 
racial inequity and religious freedom. One of the best ways to honor 
our fallen comrades is for us to work together to defend our freedom 
and our American principles. We cannot allow the erosion of the 
liberties our family members and friends have fought so hard to defend.
  As I pray for the fallen and their families this weekend, I will also 
pray for our men and women currently serving in harm's way and for 
their families too. I am truly grateful for those who have served our 
country, past and present, and I will continue to do my very best to 
serve them in return.

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