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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi Honors House Veterans of World War II
Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Speaker Dennis Hastert and other Members of Congress at a ceremony held in the Capitol today honoring the six serving House Members who are veterans of World War II: Congressmen John Dingell of Michigan, Henry Hyde of Illinois, Cass Ballenger of North Carolina, Ralph Hall of Texas, Amo Houghton of New York, and Ralph Regula of Ohio. Below are Pelosi's remarks:
"Speaker Hastert, thank you for leading this recognition of our colleagues' service to our country. Distinguished veterans, Members of Congress, ladies and gentlemen.
"President Kennedy observed, 'A nation reveals itself not only by the individuals it produces, but also by those it honors.'
"On Memorial Day weekend, a grateful nation will honor the Greatest Generation that our country has ever produced – men and women who in their youth literally saved the world.
"The magnificent National World War II Memorial on the Mall will be a lasting tribute to the millions who served and the hundreds of thousands who gave their lives. Today, we honor six of those patriots for their service and their sacrifice: John Dingell, Henry Hyde, Cass Ballenger, Ralph Hall, Amo Houghton, and Ralph Regula.
"Their generation came from big cities such as Detroit and Chicago and small towns with names such as Hickory, Rockwall, Corning and Stark County. They became soldiers, sailors, naval airmen and Marines. They went to distant places they had never heard of to liberate people they did not know.
"Many of these heroes never returned. My uncle, Johnny D’Alesandro, was one of them. He gave his life at the Battle of the Bulge. Like so many other families, his sacrifice was for us a source of both pride and sorrow -- deep sadness over the loss of a wonderful man; tremendous pride that one of our own helped to preserve the freedom and values that we cherish as a nation.
"Even more than winning the war, this generation won the peace. With wisdom and vision, America led the world in creating the institutions to preserve what we had won – a bold Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe and turn foes into friends, a strong NATO Alliance to defend the Western democracies, and a United Nations to serve as what President Truman called ‘a great instrument of peace.’
"These lessons of history remind us that we must not only show our strength, we must also show our greatness as a nation.
"And as a nation, our greatness flows in part from how we care for those who have served in uniform. Just as our troops pledge to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, we must leave no veteran behind here at home.
"In his book 'Citizen Soldiers,' the historian Stephen Ambrose asked what motivated our World War II generation. And he responded with words that reflect our gratitude today. He wrote: 'At the core, the American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn't want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought and won, and all of us, living and yet to be born, must be forever profoundly grateful.'
"May God bless our veterans and their families. God bless our men and women in uniform. God bless each and every one of you, and today we take special pride in our colleagues who we are honoring here today. And may God bless the United States of America."
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
