Congressman Sestak Salutes Military at Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony

Former Navy Admiral Joins Veterans in Remembrance

December 7th, 2008

Media, PA — 

Congressman Sestak today joined the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum in honoring those involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor 67 years ago. He joined Mayor of Media Robert McMahon and museum curator Bud Hendricks in recognizing one of the greatest defining moments in history. Congressman Sestak spoke on the significance that World War two Veterans have played in our nation’s story, as well as the importance of continuing to honor them.

Open to the public on Veteran’s Day 2005, the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, promote and protect the legacy and dignity of all U.S. veterans through public display and to educate the public, especially youth, to the experiences and history of veterans during times of war. The museum operates to educate students with an up-close and personal experience of the pivotal battles of U.S. history, through a database accessible on the web and at the Museum.

“I can not convey my gratitude for the opportunity to be here today and acknowledge the service of the men and women who defended this nation,” said Congressman Sestak. “We owe a debt of gratitude to them and to their families for their immeasurable sacrifices. Over 30 years ago, I was entrusted with the greatest honor—to lead America’s sons and daughters into battle—and I stand before you today to thank them for their service.” 

A former three star Navy Admiral, Congressman Sestak was inspired to pursue a life of public service by his father, a World War II veteran who served 20 years as a captain in the Navy.  Congressman Sestak grew up hearing his father’s stories of the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Surigao Straights, which motivated him to join the Navy.

“Our greatest generation, the World War II veterans, is fewer in numbers with each passing day. I am who I am because of my father,” said Congressman Sestak.  “He inspired me to serve my country and I hope the involvement of students in their own history will similarly teach them the importance of public service. To me, events like these are an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have gone before me, and to redouble my efforts to ensure that Veterans past, present, and future are honored by thought and action for the freedoms they and their families have earned for us all.”

In Congressman Sestak’s first term as Congressman in Pennsylvania’s Seventh District, he launched a “recollection collection drive” for the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. Immediately after his election to the House of Representatives, Congressman Sestak met with the Library of Congress about the Veterans History Project. Created in 2000 by the United States Congress, the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress seeks to collect and archive the personal recollections of U.S. wartime veterans to honor their service and share their stories with current and future generations. The Project also collects stories from homefront civilians who worked in support of our armed forces.

“It is important that we work closely to record the thoughts and recollections of our veterans to ensure that future generations, particularly our students, have access to the memories and experiences of veterans acquired during their service to the nation,” said Congressman Sestak.  “These individual stories provide historians with invaluable information to give context to some of the greatest moments in our history and some of the most tragic.  Just as important, it provides the public with a way to remember and celebrate the sacrifices made by the men and women who have fought to protect our freedom.”

Born and raised in Delaware County, former 3-star Admiral Joe Sestak served in the Navy for 31 years and now serves as the Representative from the 7th District of Pennsylvania. He led a series of operational commands at sea, including Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships with over 15,000 sailors and 100 aircraft that conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. After 9/11, Joe was the first Director of "Deep Blue," the Navy's anti-terrorism unit that established strategic and operations policies for the "Global War on Terrorism." He served as President Clinton's Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council in the White House, and holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. According to the office of the House Historian, Joe is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
 


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