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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071

Last weekend, Americans celebrated Memorial Day to honor those who lost their lives in battle while protecting our liberty and way of life. Each of us is forever indebted to our fallen heroes and we must take time to honor them not only on Memorial Day, but every day of the year.

While it is important to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country, it is also important to remember those veterans who are still with us. As your Congresswoman, I am committed to ensuring they receive the benefits they have earned.

During the last several months, Congress has taken a number of important steps to support our nation's veterans. Providing the funds necessary to make sure that they have first class medical care continues to be one of my highest priorities. This year, veterans' medical services are slated to receive the highest funding level in history, a $1.6 billion increase over last year. Since 2001, veterans' medical care funding has increased by 40%.

In addition, the House has taken action to fund disability compensation, pension, and burial benefits. It has also passed legislation to help fund operation and maintenance of the VA's national cemeteries.

These are just a few of the steps we're taking to help veterans. Can we do more? Absolutely. We must do everything we can help our nation's veterans and I welcome your suggestions.

As we honor those veterans who have served before, we must also keep in our hearts and minds those who are currently in harm's way. The brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Services make sacrifices everyday to defend our freedoms. Those who served, and continue to serve, in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard took an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and we can never forget the importance of their commitment to our nation.

North Carolina has long played a key role in our nation's military forces. Fort Bragg is home to the XVIII Airborne Corps, the U.S. Army's Special Operations Command and is the largest Army installation in the world. These troops are nobly answering the call of duty, separated from their families, friends and loved ones. While putting themselves in harms' way, they seek to root out the evil that would gladly see America's destruction. Their mission is clear and they will succeed.

We should also acknowledge the incredible service of the men and women of the North Carolina National Guard. Our National Guard is truly a symbolic representation of the determination and spirit that Americans possess. Individuals who put their lives on hold to answer the call of duty are the epitome of American patriotism. To prosecute the war on terrorism, the state of North Carolina has deployed thousands of Guardsmen, one of the largest deployments in state history. These fine Americans are playing a pivotal roll in the War on Terror.

I cannot begin express how proud I am of the entire military for their service, selfless attitude and sacrifice. They are making the world a better place. They are freeing people from oppression so that they may enjoy the same freedoms that Americans cherish. Today our military has liberated the people of Afghanistan from the brutal Taliban regime and has denied Al Qaeda its safe haven of operations. They have crushed Saddam Hussein's brutal dictatorship and have captured thousands of terrorists. Children in Iraq are returning to school and Iraqi businesses are prospering. The Iraqi people have held a historic democratic election for a National Assembly and have elected a new president. And more progress is made each day.

Across the Nation, American citizens are rallying behind our military. While terrorists and dictators seek to weaken the American spirit through murderous, unconscionable acts, they instead serve to unite us in a way that has not been seen in decades. I am honored to be able to pay tribute to America's brave veterans, soldiers, sailors, Marines and coasties. May God protect them and their families as they fulfill their duty and may He provide them strength to perform the mission that they are called to do.