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Lipinski Honors America's Veterans at Oak Lawn Ceremony (November 11, 2010)

 
Today, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) joined local residents, schoolchildren, officials, and veterans’ organizations in honoring America’s veterans at the Oak Lawn Veterans Day Ceremony.

"Today, we give thanks to each and every one of the millions of men and women who have risked life and limb to defend our great nation," Congressman Lipinski said. "Too often, we take for granted the freedom in which we live. But freedom isn’t free, and we can never forget that it is America’s veterans who have paid the price for our liberty. They answered the call of duty without hesitation, well aware of the dangers that awaited them. As Veterans Day marks the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, in which more than 116,000 American service members lost their lives, we must remember not only those still among us who served, but also those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The saying is not less true for being familiar: ‘All gave some, some gave all.’ So too must we say a prayer for the 2.6 million men and women in uniform who are currently serving our country, whether they are in Iraq, Afghanistan, elsewhere overseas, or right here at home. Finally, it is important that we recognize the extraordinary sacrifices of the families of America’s veterans, who live with a terrible uncertainty each day that their loved one is in harm’s way. While we have set aside November 11th to honor our veterans, our obligation to them is ongoing. We must see to it that they are treated every day with the respect, gratitude, and compassion they have earned and deserve."

(November 11, 2010)

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