UPPER DARBY, Pa.,
Nov 11, 2005 -
U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, honored Veteran's Day today in Media, Pa. by participating in the grand opening of Pennsylvania's Veterans Museum, followed by the 46th Annual Veterans Day Parade.
"Millions of America's brightest men and women have served our country with dedication and bravery and many have given the ultimate sacrifice so our future generations may live in freedom," said Weldon after the event. "We are here to honor these veterans and their families, lest we forget that the cost of their sacrifice preserves America as a beacon of freedom and hope to the world."
"Today, America especially thanks the millions of Pennsylvanians who have sacrificed a great deal for this country," said Weldon of Pennsylvania's 1.2 million veterans who rank fifth in the nation of the number of veterans living in the state. "Almost fifty percent of Pennsylvania's families have a member of their immediate family that is a veteran. The Pennsylvania Veterans Museum will be important for educating Pennsylvanians about our state's veterans and the wars in which they fought," Weldon said.
Referring to the U.S. military currently serving in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Weldon said, "American service men and women continue to battle Islamic extremists and work with our allies to help the fledgling democracies of Iraq and Afghanistan." He added, "They are in our thoughts and prayers to complete their mission and make it home safely to their families and loved ones."
