[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23742]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING AMERICA'S VETERANS

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of Veterans 
Day to pay tribute to the men and women that have served our country as 
members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
  I join my colleagues and those across Michigan and our country in 
reflecting upon the meaning of this day and the service of our fellow 
Americans.
  I often have the pleasure of meeting with Michigan's proud community 
of veterans. I have also been privileged to welcome home members of our 
armed services and the Michigan National Guard and reserves serving in 
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. These men and 
women are a credit to our great State, their communities, and their 
families.
  America's men and women in the military give their time, and in many 
cases life and limb, to serve our country. Today's soldiers, sailors, 
airmen, and marines are tomorrow's veterans and we owe them our 
gratitude for their service.
  One of the most fitting ways we can honor the service and sacrifice 
of America's veterans is to ensure that we honor the commitments we 
have made to them and their families. I am proud to be working with my 
colleagues from both political parties and with veterans' organizations 
from across the country, including the American Legion and VFW, in 
leading the fight to pass legislation guaranteeing that health care 
services for our veterans are funded. This law would eliminate the 
year-to-year uncertainty about funding for veterans health care by 
making this funding mandatory in the annual budget. As we reflect on 
this Veterans Day, I urge my colleagues to keep our promise to our 
Nation's veterans by supporting this important amendment.
  I stand today in honor of all the men and women from Michigan and 
across our country who have given their lives while serving in Iraq and 
Afghanistan. We are all grateful for their sacrifice and offer our 
condolences to their families. On this Veterans Day, I join my 
colleagues and the wonderful men and women that have served our country 
in the Armed Forces--veterans young and old--in paying tribute to them 
and their service.

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