Recognizing and Honoring United States Armed Forces and Supporting National Military Appreciation Month

RECOGNIZING AND HONORING UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND SUPPORTING NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH -- (House of Representatives - March 24, 2004)

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, there is no greater gift a person can give to his or her country than to serve in the Armed Forces. Today, we honor the thousands of soldiers, men and women, serving our country at home in the United States and around the world, as well as the millions of Americans who have served in years past.

While our reasons for going to Iraq, or any other war, for that matter, can be questioned and scrutinized, one issue that should remain above the political fray is the profound courage that has always been exhibited by our troops. They have always honored America by protecting our Nation both at home and abroad in a manner befitting a great nation. Today our Nation turns to them and says, "Thank you."

Over 500 Americans have lost their lives thus far in Iraq, and it is crucial to the future of both our Nation and other nations that Americans, both young and old, understand that without these soldiers and the countless others who have died in wars past, making this ultimate sacrifice, there would be no America as we know it today.

The tremendous freedoms we all enjoy, including freedom of speech, the right to representation in government and the right to assemble were all earned because tremendous human beings were willing to fight for those freedoms. Although no gesture can ever do justice to the work done by our men and women of the Armed Forces, with the designation of a National Military Appreciation Month, our Nation can do no more to thank these brave Americans for the unbelievable service they have provided to all of us.

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