Military Families Appreciation Day

Floor Speech

Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, in Oregon, we just honored the return of 2,700 members of the Oregon National Guard's 41st Brigade Combat Team. Although the 41st's service in Iraq was Oregon's biggest single contribution to a war effort since World War II, it is not the only one.

The soldiers of the Oregon National Guard's 162nd Engineer Company are currently clearing roads in Afghanistan. The 1249 Engineer Battalion in Salem, OR, is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan this winter, and about 600 soldiers from Eastern Oregon will be part of the 116th Cavalry when it deploys to Iraq this fall.

I know I will return to the floor of the Senate to talk about the bravery and service of these men and women. But today I want to talk about the often unrecognized other half of these deployments--the military families that support the service members and keep things together at home. The spouses, sons, daughters, parents, grandparents and community supporters who work together and toil alone to pay the bills, get the kids to school, and help find employment while their loved ones are away.

May 8 is Military Families Appreciation Day in Oregon. On this special day, our State honors the dedication and service of military families and veterans who have helped make America's military the strongest the world has ever seen.

Being left behind when a loved one goes to war is not an easy mission. Yet our military families continue to make the difficult sacrifices, and call upon their inner reserves, to nurture family life so that their service member can focus on the business at hand.

Our military spouses are the glue that holds our military families together. They unselfishly give up their husband or wife, their partner and friend to help serve our Nation. They celebrate important events like birthdays, anniversaries, and sometimes a child's first step or first word alone. They assume the difficult role of being both mother and father--shouldering the responsibility of creating and nurturing a loving family environment when their loved one is away. Their strength and determination are examples to the rest of the country.

And to all of the grandparents and friends who step up when our single-parent service members are called to duty, I thank you. You unselfishly answer the Nation's call by caring for our future generation. You help relieve the pressures of military service by making sure our service members' children are safe, happy, and loved. Stand tall, stand proud. You, too, are our unsung heroes.

Finally, I would like to recognize the sons and daughters who grow up in a military family. As the children of America's defenders, they cope with unbelievable circumstances. The smells of shoe polish, starch, and Brasso may remind them of home more than the smells of cookies and apple pie. Their mothers and fathers are called to duty at a moment's notice, and they have no choice but to be strong, even when it hurts to say goodbye. Their contribution to the Nation and personal strength does not go unnoticed. They are our future and represent the best America has to offer.

Today's military family--spouses, sons, daughters, parents, grandparents and community--inspire us through spirit and strength. They proudly wave flags and keep the candles burning as a reminder of those who are gone.

Their dedication reminds us all that the U.S. flag is brilliant indeed; patriotic songs are not just reserved for the fourth of July; that a parting kiss can hold for months; and that shared tears can somehow bring us closer together. They put their own priorities aside. They take care of one another. They take care of America.

So to all military families, I thank you. Thank you for your service to your family, our community, and to our Nation.

Source