{"id":2253081,"date":"2024-05-26T05:24:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-26T09:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/veterans-in-congress-honor-fallen-heroes-on-memorial-day-and-reflect-on-service\/"},"modified":"2024-05-26T05:30:17","modified_gmt":"2024-05-26T09:30:17","slug":"veterans-in-congress-honor-fallen-heroes-on-memorial-day-and-reflect-on-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/veterans-in-congress-honor-fallen-heroes-on-memorial-day-and-reflect-on-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Veterans in Congress pay tribute to fallen heroes on Memorial Day while reflecting on their service"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fveterans-in-congress-honor-fallen-heroes-on-memorial-day-and-reflect-on-service%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2253081&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The revised text is: &#8220;Monday commemorates Memorial Day, with Congress members honoring loved ones, constituents, and\u2064 their service. In \u2064the 118th Congress,\u2062 there\u2063 were \u200c99 veterans: 82 in the House and 17 in the Senate.&#8221; Great! If you need any more assistance or further \u200crevisions, \u2062feel free \u2063to let me know. Thank you! If you have any\u2062 more requests or need further \u200bassistance, feel free to \u2064ask. I&#8217;m here to\u200d help!  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Monday marks <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/memorial-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Memorial Day<\/a>, when many members of <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Congress<\/a> will honor not only their loved ones and their constituents but their own years in service.<\/p>\n<p>In the 118th Congress, there were 99 veterans at the start of the term: <a href=\"https:\/\/veterans.house.gov\/resources-for-veterans\/veterans-in-congress.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>82 members<\/a> in the House and 17 members in the Senate. The number of veterans elected in 2022 marked the fourth time <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2023\/12\/31\/how-many-vets-will-be-in-congress-after-the-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>in the last 50 years<\/a> that the total number of elected veterans increased.<\/p>\n<p>Since the start of 2023, three veterans have <a href=\"https:\/\/pressgallery.house.gov\/member-data\/casualty-list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>retired early<\/a> from the House: Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Bill Johnson (R-OH), and Chris Stewart (R-UT). <\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>reached out to over 30 lawmakers from the House and Senate who served in the armed forces before they arrived in Congress. As they go home for Memorial Day weekend, many will attend parties with constituents and neighbors, have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/south-korea-logs-second-highest-daily-tally-of-covid-cases-amid-prison-church-outbreaks\/\" title=\"South Korea logs second-highest daily tally of COVID cases amid prison, church outbreaks\">small gathering<\/a> with friends and family, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/huge-chinese-spy-rep-swalwell-was-sleeping-with-is-pictured-with-chinese-agent-who-spied-on-sen-feinstein-for-20-years\/\" title=\"HUGE: Chinese Spy Rep. Swalwell Was Sleeping With Is Pictured with Chinese Agent Who Spied on Sen. Feinstein for 20 Years\">spend time<\/a> visiting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/grave-and-statue-of-economist-adam-smith-flagged-for-slavery-and-colonialism-in-scotland\/\" title=\"Grave And Statue Of Economist Adam Smith Flagged For \u2018Slavery And Colonialism\u2019 In Scotland\">final resting place<\/a> of loved ones who died in service to the United States.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>From the office of Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Jimmy Panetta<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service? (Branch, years, rank, etc)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m proud to have served with the US Navy, Reserve Component, from 2003 \u2013 2011 as an Intelligence Officer,\u201d Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) said. \u201cFrom 2007 to 2008, I volunteered for active duty and was deployed with a Special Operations task force to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Afghanistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Afghanistan<\/a> in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn Memorial Day, I join with our community throughout California\u2019s 19th Congressional District in not only recognizing the men and women who sacrificed during their service, but all but all those who served in uniform and passed,\u201d Panetta said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What does Memorial Day mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cMemorial Day allows us the opportunity to formally honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our democracy,\u201d Panetta said. \u201cMoreover, it provides our nation with an opportunity to remind ourselves of our responsibilities of living in the leading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democracy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>democracy<\/a> of the free world.\u00a0 It is a day of reflection, but also a day of reinvigoration for the engagement that is necessary by Americans in order for our nation to not just endure, but also succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a fallen hero or loved one that you would like to remember on this day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cLast year, we returned the remains of Seaside California\u2019s Aviation Radioman First Class Wilbur Archie Mitts, 79 years after he was killed in action over Palau,\u201d Panetta said. \u201cIt took years of exhaustive searching, excavation, and testing but our country was finally able to return him home and lay him to rest in Mission Memorial Park. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cHis story and the work it took to bring him home demonstrate the sacred bond between our country and all who serve it,\u201d Panetta added.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>From the office of Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Jack Bergman<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI served in the United States <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Marines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Marine Corps<\/a> from 1969-2009, eventually earning three stars as a Lieutenant General,\u201d Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) said. \u201cI like to jokingly say it was always an honor and occasionally a pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cMemorial Day is more than just a long weekend,\u201d Bergman said. \u201cIt should be spent in reflection and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/prayer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>prayer<\/a> as we recognize that our freedom comes at a steep cost, with many giving their lives to pay for it. I spend Memorial Day dwelling on that \u2014 no matter where I am.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What does Memorial Day mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo memorialize someone means to preserve their memory, so Memorial Day means that we as a Nation must take a moment to pause and honor every serviceman and woman who gave their last full measure of devotion so that we might be free,\u201d Bergman said. \u201cTheir sacrifices will never be in vain if we cling to their memories and to the weighty exchange they made in laying their lives down for ours.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a fallen hero or loved one that you would like to remember on this day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI recently joined my colleagues to wash the wall of names at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial \u2014 something we do every year for Memorial Day \u2014 and I always think of two of my friends: Corporal Barry Mott, United States Marine Corps; and Lieutenant Junior Grade Joel Sandberg, United States Navy. Both of them died while serving in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Vietnam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Vietnam<\/a> and both have their names \u2014 and their legacies \u2014 engraved on that wall. I honor their sacrifices in particular this Memorial Day,\u201d Bergman said.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., flanked by other members of congress, speaks during a news conference about the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo\/Jose Luis Magana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Mark Green<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy 24-year career in the Army began with my enrollment at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/West-Point\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>West Point<\/a> in 1982,\u201d House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) said. \u201cAfter graduation, and the Army Ranger school, I served first as a LT in the 194th Separate Armor BDE, and as a CPT, I commanded in the 82nd Airborne, where I decided to go to medical school. I volunteered for a recruiting command to do the night classes needed. I was in my residency during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/9-11\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>9\/11<\/a>, and then I joined the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment in 2002 as a flight surgeon.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was with the 160th SOAR that I was honored to be a part of the mission to capture Saddam Hussein,\u201d Green added. \u201cI left the Army in 2006 as a Major promotable with a Bronze Star and Air Medal with V-Device among many other awards.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI typically spend Memorial Day with my constituents in Tennessee, doing what I can to honor the memory of those who gave their lives for our country,\u201d Green said. \u201cIn addition, my wife, Camie, often participates in the Murph Challenge in honor of Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Michael Murphy on Memorial Day. The challenge consists of running one mile, completing 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and finally running another mile all while wearing a 20-pound vest or body armor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What does Memorial Day mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cMemorial Day is meant to honor the brave men and women who gave the last full measure for their country,\u201d Green said. \u201cOn this day, I focus on honoring those we\u2019ve lost as well as our Gold Star families. I can\u2019t think of this day without thinking about all of the flag-draped coffins I\u2019ve seen and the children who have had to grow up without their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/parents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>moms or dads<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen it comes down to it, this day is about sacrifice,\u201d Green added.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a fallen hero or loved one that you would like to remember on this day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI served with a Delta Force Sniper in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Iraq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Iraq<\/a> who was already past his retirement date and waiting for his plane to arrive,\u201d Green said. \u201cHis guys were leaving for a mission, and he refused to go home while they went back to the battlefield. This brave warrior lost his life on that mission and his memory will always stay with me.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI also want to honor Master Sergeant James \u2018Trey\u2019 Ponder. I was his doctor,\u201d Green said. \u201cHe was one of the Night Stalkers who lost his life on the Chinook helicopter that was hit during Operation Red Wings, better known as the operation that took place in \u2018Lone Survivor.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Facebook\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Facebook<\/a> page, a year after his death, I found a post from his daughter on his page that read, \u2018I miss you and I love you daddy.\u2019 Trey gave his life for our freedom, but that little girl gave her dad. We must never forget the families\u2019 sacrifices either,\u201d Green said.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>From the office of Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Don Bacon<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brigadier general in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/air-force\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Air Force<\/a> for 29.5 years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI usually give three speeches in the district, and we will have a parade this year, too,\u201d Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What does Memorial Day mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe remember the 1.35 million patriots who paid the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/australian-journalist-biden-seems-determined-to-weaken-americas-standing-her-military-and-emboldening-enemies\/\" title=\"Australian Journalist: Biden Seems \u2018Determined To Weaken America\u2019s Standing, Her Military, And Emboldening\u2019 Enemies\">ultimate sacrifice fighting<\/a> for our country,\u201d Bacon said. \u201cFreedom is not free. We are the land of the free, the land of opportunity, and a nation based on the rule of law because of the sacrifice by these Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a fallen hero or loved one that you would like to remember on this day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lt Col Mark Stratton, who was killed near Bagram by a suicide bomber. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI flew Rc-135s with him previously and he was an outstanding man of character,\u201d Bacon said.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>From the office of Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Jason Crow<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cStarted out working minimum wage jobs in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/high-school\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>high school<\/a> and enlisted in the National Guard and worked construction to help pay my way through college. I joined the active duty Army after graduating,\u201d Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), who enlisted in 1998, said. Then 9\/11 happened and changed my path.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI served in the Army\u2019s 82nd Airborne Division, leading a platoon of paratroopers during the invasion of Iraq,\u201d Crow continued. \u201cAfter returning, I joined the 75th Ranger Regiment to serve two more tours \u2013 this time in Afghanistan as part of the Joint Special Operations Task Force. I\u2019ll never forget what it was like to march in those boots, and continue to be reminded that service doesn\u2019t end when we take off the uniform.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis weekend, I\u2019ll be home in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Colorado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Colorado<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dont-let-the-9-11-effect-fade-chris-pratt-gives-stirring-remarks-calling-for-unity\/\" title=\"Chris Pratt urges unity, emphasizes the need to remember 9\/11.\">remembrance ceremonies<\/a> and some smaller gatherings \u2013 spending time thinking about my friends who made the ultimate sacrifice,\u201d Crow said.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>What does Memorial Day mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur nation is built on the sacrifice of those who dedicated themselves to our higher ideals \u2013 freedom, democracy, prosperity,\u201d Crow said. \u201cIt\u2019s a solemn day and reminder that we owe our fallen heroes our earnest effort to meet the promise of what we can and should be.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo me, that\u2019s what this is all about,\u201d Crow added. \u201cSo many of us serve not because we think this country is perfect but because we believe in what it can be. For those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, it\u2019s our job to continue to push for those higher ideals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a fallen hero or loved one that you would like to remember on this day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m holding sisters and brothers in my thoughts who fought with me in Afghanistan and Iraq and never made it back home,\u201d Crow said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of power in sacred places to reflect, remember, and heal. We have the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/world-war-ii\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>World War II<\/a> memorial in D.C. In Aurora, the Colorado Freedom Memorial \u2013 and soon due to my and fellow veterans\u2019 efforts in Congress, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a place that will go a long way to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who served in our nation\u2019s longest war \u2014 we owe it to them every day beyond Memorial Day,\u201d Crow continued.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) center, speaks at RGF Environmental Group, during a small business endorsement event, Monday, May 13, 2024, in Riviera Beach, Fla. (AP Photo\/Wilfredo Lee)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Rick Scott<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was a radarman in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Glover,\u201d Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) said. \u201cI enlisted in 1971 at 18 years old because my adopted dad instilled the importance of service to me and my siblings. He was in the Army.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy dad is a very important part of my life and a remarkable patriot \u2014 completing all four parachute jumps as part of the 82nd Airborne during World War II and fought during the Battle of Bulge \u2026 and came back to tell the story,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThroughout my life, and especially as Florida\u2019s governor and U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Senate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>senator<\/a>, I have met so many families that have lost loved ones during their service to our nation,\u201d Scott said. \u201cEach one of these brave Americans is a hero that deserves our endless gratitude and respect.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe can never repay the sacrifice that they have made, but on Memorial Day, I really pause to be thankful for the country we live in and the freedoms we all enjoy today, which wouldn\u2019t be possible without the immense sacrifice of so many brave Americans,\u201d Scott added.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, speaks with supporters, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, at the State House in Augusta, Maine. Golden, who is seeking reelection, is being challenged by Republican Bruce Poliquin. (AP Photo\/Robert F. Bukaty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Jared Golden<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Marine Corps, beginning in 2002, serving four years as an infantryman. Deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 and Iraq in 2005-2006.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI most often spend Memorial Day with my family, rather than at large gatherings or public events,\u201d Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) said. \u201cThose moments with family are precious every day. But on Memorial Day, they feel like a way to honor the people I served with who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think about the young servicemembers I knew who did not get the chance that I did to come home, get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marriage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>married<\/a>, become parents,\u201d Golden continued. \u201cI spend time with their memories, knowing how lucky I have been to enjoy the blessing of family after returning home from war, while they were not. I believe this kind of somber remembrance and introspection is how Memorial Day should be observed.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>From the office of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Anna Paulina Luna<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service?<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was proud to serve two enlistments as an E-4 Senior Airman in the Air Force between the years of 2009 and 2019, with a brief break in between the two enlistments,\u201d Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) said. <\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis year I will be celebrating at this year\u2019s Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremonies in Oldsmar as Pinellas County\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/House-of-Representatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Congressional representative<\/a>,\u201d Luna said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What does Memorial Day mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cMemorial Day is a time for us to reflect, as well as honor those who have served before us that never made it home,\u201d Luna said. \u201cMy husband and I both lost friends during the war in Afghanistan and as a result of that, this holiday is very solemn for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a fallen hero or loved one that you would like to remember on this day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would like to honor Staff Sergeant Forrest Sibley, who was a Combat Controller in the U.S. Air Force. Forrest was killed in the Helmand province Afghanistan on August 26<sup>th<\/sup>, 2015,\u201d Luna said.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>From the office of Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Mariannette Miller-Meeks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn Memorial Day, we honor our servicemen and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice,\u201d Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) said. \u201cI am a proud <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/veterans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>veteran<\/a>, having enlisted in the Army at 18 years old and retiring after 24 years of active duty and reserve service at the rank of Lt. Colonel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cTypically, I spend Memorial Day at a cemetery honoring the service of my father, maternal grandfather, uncle, brother, or military service members unknown to me,\u201d Miller-Meeks said. \u201cI may give speeches,\u00a0 walk in parades, or watch military movies on TV.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a fallen hero or loved one that you would like to remember on this day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis Memorial Day, I am remembering my late brother Michael, who served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War,\u201d Miller-Meeks said. \u201cLike many service members returning from Vietnam, Michael was treated very badly during that turbulent time in American <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/history\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>history<\/a>. I miss him dearly. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn Washington, I am fighting for our active military service members, veterans, and their families,\u201d Miller-Meeks said. \u201cRoughly 17 veterans every day lose their life to suicide. As a member of the House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs improving the quality of life and accessibility of care for veterans is a top priority.\u201d <\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>From the office of Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Gary Peters<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What was your military service? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1993, where I earned a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist designation and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander,\u201d Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) said. \u201cFollowing the September 11<sup>th<\/sup> terrorist attacks on our country, I volunteered again for drilling status and served overseas as part of my reserve duties.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you spend Memorial Day? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis year,<strong> <\/strong>I\u2019ll be spending Memorial Day back home in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Michigan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Michigan<\/a>, alongside friends and family,\u201d Peters said. \u201cOne of my most remarkable and humbling Memorial Day experiences came a few years back, when I had the opportunity to join thousands of veterans to observe Memorial Day at the annual Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run \u2014 a motorcycle ride that brings together over one million riders and spectators combined to honor servicemembers killed in action, those still missing in action, and prisoners of war. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo matter where you\u2019ll spend the weekend, it\u2019s important that all Americans take the time to pay tribute to the generations of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have served our nation with bravery,\u201d Peters added.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What does Memorial Day mean to you?<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMemorial Day is a time for reflection, and an opportunity to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,\u201d Peters said. \u201cThroughout our history, generations of brave servicemen and women have answered the call of duty to protect our freedoms, our democratic values, and the American way of life we all hold dear.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe must always remember their service and continue to stand with the Gold Star Families who carry on the legacy of their fallen loved ones. It\u2019s also imperative that we continue to honor and support those who served and returned home with wounds \u2014 whether they are visible or invisible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a fallen hero or loved one that you would like to remember on this day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I reflect on service, always I think of my father who served our country overseas during World War II and became a public school teacher after returning home,\u201d Peters said. \u201cI have always been inspired by his service and his example. Today and every day, I am also grateful to all of those who have answered the call of duty, including the men and women I served alongside during my time in the U.S. Navy Reserve.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Memorial Day, Congress members pay respects to fallen heroes, constituents, and their own service. In the 118th Congress, 99 veterans served: 82 in the House and 17 in the Senate<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2253082,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Panetta-Memorial-Day-3-1024x576.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2253081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Panetta-Memorial-Day-3-1024x576.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2253081","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2253081"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2253081\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2253082"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2253081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2253081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2253081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}