Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement in recognition of Memorial Day:
At a Memorial Day Ceremony 57 years ago, when he was still a young Senator, President Kennedy said, “Their sacrifice is a constant stimulus to us on the long road forward – they didn’t die in vain…but the world is poor without them for they were the flower of our race, the bravest and the truest.”
Today, we recognize the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen who have given their lives for this country. Their service spans generations of Americans, all different, yet united by their love for our country.
From the far corners of the Earth to our neighborhoods right here at home, they have defended the vision of America. Their courage never wavered. Their perseverance never faltered. And their bravery was forever present.
Let us keep working to make sure that our country upholds our sacred trust to all who’ve served. I believe that taking care of our veterans and their families is a sacred obligation and we must work even harder to make sure all our veterans get the benefits and opportunities they’ve earned.
Let us resolve to always keep America free and proud.
And let us never forget those whom President Kennedy called “the bravest and the truest.”
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