Debbie Mucarsel-Powell: “Today I stand here to honor and thank the courageous servicemembers and veterans who have served and protected this…”

“Today I stand here to honor and thank the courageous servicemembers and veterans who have served and protected this Nation. I was appalled when the President, the Commander in Chief, referred to them as ``losers'' and ``suckers.'' These brave men and women sacrificed for us, some giving their lives: Veterans like my constituent JL Demps, Jr., a U.S. Army Specialist, who at 18 was deployed and had to leave his wife and 2-month-old son; Or Manuel Suarez Rodriguez, who was drafted out of high school to serve in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division in Korea; Or Gary Malfield, a Comms Officer, who served in Vietnam reviewing heartbreaking messages on the status of Marines who were wounded or killed. Gary put it best by saying, ``Many of them lost their lives, but none of them were losers.'' I couldn't agree more. They deserve better, Mr. Speaker, and should never be disrespected the way this President did. ____________________”