[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 215 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1184-E1185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MOROVIS NATIONAL CEMETERY DEDICATION CEREMONY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 2020

  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, democracies like 
ours are heavily supported by military service undertaken by their 
citizens. In the United States, soldiers rally under the flag to risk 
life and limb to defend our liberty and the ideals that define our 
country. The responsibility the U.S. Congress assumes to send them to 
war cannot be taken lightly, particularly when their service also 
weighs heavily upon their family and community. A weight that is 
disproportionally heavy upon the shoulders of the Puerto Ricans who 
have valiantly and honorably stepped forward to serve in harm's way 
without enjoying full representation in the U.S. Congress.
  Upon separation from the Armed Forces, Congress honors the military 
service of its men and women by approving legislation that authorizes a 
wide variety of benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans' 
Affairs. Of all these benefits, one that due to its solemn nature 
faithfully demonstrate the eternal gratitude of this nation towards its 
citizen soldiers is the interment of their remains in national 
cemeteries. For those citizen soldiers that give the ultimate sacrifice 
while in service and for

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those who after returning to civilian life succumb to sickness or age, 
the federal government has provided an extensive net of national 
cemeteries where they are laid to rest with honor and allow us to 
fulfill the solemn oath that their service to the nation will never be 
forgotten.
  In fulfillment of that oath, today I have the honor to recognize the 
dedication of the Morovis VA National Cemetery, located within the 
boundaries of the Municipality of Morovis in my beautiful island of 
Puerto Rico. Strategically located in the northern side of the island 
and surrounded by an inspiring and peaceful tropical landscape, it will 
provide the perfect setting to honor our fallen soldiers while 
providing a protective sanctuary where their families and friends can 
remember their lives and mourn their passing.
  In the coming years, as the warm and moist earth of Morovis, Puerto 
Rico slowly embraces the remains of the valiant citizen soldiers who 
sailed to the far-flung battlefields of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, 
the Middle East, and many other locations; and for those that will 
follow on their steps in the defense of liberty, let's not forget that 
the quest to achieve full rights and equality within the American 
democracy is seeded with their blood, sweat and tears. Their sacrifice 
compels us to continuously strive to demolish any barriers that impede 
the enjoyment of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness for all the 
citizens of our great nation.

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