Delgado speaks at Berlin Central School District Veterans Day Assembly

Statement

his morning, Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) delivered remarks at the ninth annual Berlin Central School District Veterans Day Assembly. Today's assembly featured students, faculty and community members paying tribute to Rensselaer County veterans. Rep. Delgado's remarks focused on the importance of honoring our veterans and emphasized their profound service and sacrifice to the country.

"There is a lot of partisanship and division right now in our country, but whenever I need inspiration to stay the course, to stay committed to our shared values, to fight for the greater good and put country before all else, I just think of our veterans and the men and women in our armed services. For the purest form of public service is that which is entirely self-less -- the kind where brave men and women literally put their lives on the line in defense of our county and to uphold our values -- liberty, justice for all, equality, fairness and democracy," said Delgado.

"It is important is that we all do right by their service -- that we remember why they served in the first place, and abide by the values they put their lives on the line to protect and defend. This means treating each other with respect and decency, even when we disagree. It means remembering that we are all Americans and that we are all equal, even if we look different or pray differently. And it means honoring their service with our own service here at home. Find ways to give back to your community -- visit a homeless shelter or give to a food pantry, say a kind word to a stranger, pray for your neighbors, join a service organization, and when you see a veteran, let him or her know how much their service means to you."

Delgado continued, "As we honor all of our veterans, let us ask ourselves, how can we be better -- and then, let's be better. We owe that to our veterans, ourselves, and our country."

Rep. Delgado has made assisting the more than 40,000 veterans in NY-19 a focus of his work in Congress, guided by conversations with his Veterans Advisory Committee. During this in-district workweek, Rep. Delgado is visiting with veterans and the organizations that serve them. Today, Rep. Delgado is hosting a panel with elected officials, community leaders, veteran support organizations, and non-profits focused on veterans' transition to civilian life.

Source