Sacramento, Ca — State Senator Dave Cogdill has released the following comments in honor of U.S. veterans this Memorial Day Weekend.
“Today, we pause to honor those who have defended our freedoms and our homeland, and in so doing, have lost their lives. Tiny flags fly over the graves of thousands of Americans, buried all over the world, as we remember our nation´s greatest heroes. Two Saturday´s ago, we celebrated Armed Forces Day. These two days were created to honor the men and women serving in our military and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation´s freedom.
As we pay tribute to the dead, we must also honor the living. Courageous members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and National Guard are currently stationed across the globe. They are guarding the nation against the threat of terror, helping support the establishment of democracy worldwide, and when necessary, assisting in natural disaster recovery efforts both at home and abroad.
While the job descriptions of these brave men and women may vary, all who serve make sacrifices. They answer the call of duty without consideration for their personal concerns. Military personnel serve overseas—selflessly spending weeks, months, sometimes years, away from their families. Our men and women in the Armed Forces risk their lives each day at work, but humbly consider it a part of their job. The threat of conflict is always there. After all, that is what they train for.
Even though so many aspects of the war on terror are taking place far away from American soil, we do not want to forget our service men and women overseas. Each day we hear about more casualties. Seldom do we hear their names, unless the soldiers or their families are local. But generally, we only get numbers. And they are not numbers…they are people, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives.
To each of you who have served or are serving, and to your families, I offer my deepest thanks. You are America´s finest. God bless America, and may God bless the families of those who have paid the price.”
Senator Cogdill represents the counties of Tuolumne, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Joaquin and Stanislaus.
Written by BJ Hansen
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 1:48 pm