Santa Clarita, Calif.—U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement honoring America’s veterans:
“Americans gather today to honor and pay our respects to all of the nation’s veterans and military heroes—from those who served in the fields of Vietnam to those who gave their last full measure of devotion fighting a different insurgency in Afghanistan.
“Today, Americans have reason to be hopeful for our future. My optimism is rooted in the spirit and courage of the men and women who have served and continue to fight to defend our country and provide for its security. A new generation of heroes has emerged to lead our nation.
“The Greatest Generation defeated fascism and restored liberty in Europe and Asia, returned home after the war and had the vision, grit and fortitude to usher America into an era of prosperity. They showed the world that our country, our system of government, our economic system, our freedoms and our compassion were unmatched and unparalleled.
“Today, the young volunteers who are fighting on the battlefields in Helmand and Kandahar provinces—and those who fought on the streets in Fallujah, Baghdad and Mosul—are sure to be America’s next great generation. These brave warriors, like all the distinguished generations of veterans who preceded them, are returning home to lead our country with passion and steely determination.
“Our nation will look to them for leadership in the coming years and decades—and I am confident that they will deliver.”
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