[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           MEMORIAL DAY 2003

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, on this Memorial Day, I encourage New 
Mexicans to take a few moments to remember those Americans who have 
given their lives in the name of freedom. It is upon the sacrifice of 
these Americans--from all generations--that the freedom we enjoy today 
is built.
  From the Bataan Peninsula to Normandy, from the Ia Drang Valley to 
Inchon, from Afghanistan to Iraq, and many other conflicts, American 
men and women have fought and died because they believed in their 
country and believed in preserving its many blessings.
  As we enjoy this holiday weekend with our families and friends, let 
us take a few minutes to recognize the courage with which so many of 
our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have fought when called upon 
by their country. Let us also remember all those who never made it back 
to the country they loved because they gave their lives for it in a far 
away land.
  At this moment in America's history, I could not be more proud of our 
men and women in uniform. I think it is important to note that in the 
wake of successful combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the same 
courage and commitment shown by Americans of generations past lives on 
today in the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.
  Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Mr. President, I rise to observe the 
significance of Memorial Day--and to pay tribute to the Americans we 
honor on this day. Three days from now, we will, as a nation, remember 
those who lost their lives in service to our country. They secured our 
freedom with the most precious gifts they could offer--their love for 
this country and their lives.
  America has honored its fallen soldiers with a Memorial Day, 
sometimes called Decoration Day, since the Civil War. Though we are 
grateful to these heroes every day of the year, we recognized that we 
ought to set aside one day in particular, the last Monday in May, to be 
especially mindful of the brave men and women who paid the ultimate 
price for our freedom.
  At a time when our Nation mourns more sons and daughters than it did 
just a year ago, many of whom came from my State of Florida, this 
Memorial Day takes on additional poignancy. My heart is full of solemn 
gratitude to each new generation willing to risk their lives for the 
security of strangers.
  We cannot merely make promises on this earnest occasion. We must 
reaffirm our commitment to the veteran soldiers still with us. We must 
provide full funding for veterans health care. At this moment in our 
Nation's history, how can we possibly justify anything but a 
significant increase in VA's health care budget? Not only have we been 
engaged in a war overseas, but, just this year, VA cut off enrollment 
to an entire category of veterans.
  During a time when 240,000 veterans nationwide--44,000 in my home 
State of Florida alone--are being told they have to wait 6 months or 
longer just to see a doctor, how can we possibly turn our backs on 
these men and women? These veterans have come to VA seeking care--care 
we promised them they would get--and we owe it to them to fulfill that 
promise.
  Memorial Day has a duality--at once provoking feelings of both somber 
meditation for those we have lost in battle and the joyous anticipation 
of celebrating with family and friends during a holiday weekend. Both 
reactions are fitting to the memories of those who are no longer with 
us--we remember and revere their service, and we honor what their 
sacrifice has brought us--the freedom to be with the people we love and 
hold dear.
  As we and other citizens of this country prepare to enjoy the long 
weekend, let us take a moment to thank those who gave us a future, at 
the expense of their own.

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