Sam Gibbons: “as a veteran of two wars, I know that our military men and women fighting overseas watch what we do right here all the…”

“as a veteran of two wars, I know that our military men and women fighting overseas watch what we do right here all the time. They see this on TV, they hear it on the radio, and they read our words in the newspapers. I know our brave men and women want to see their brave leaders, us, those of us in Congress here at home, have the political fortitude, yes, indeed the political stomach, to support their actions abroad. Like many in this Chamber from both sides of the aisle, I have been to Iraq, I have been to Afghanistan, I have met with our troops there, and I have met with them as they have returned home to Nevada. They know, they see, and they hear. They read what we are doing in Congress, and they listen, and they are listening to us today. What message do you want to send to these soldiers on the front line, a message of surrender, or do you want to send a message of support, a message that we will bring them to victory? Some will call this vote symbolic or political. Well, call it what you want, but I want our troops overseas to read about this vote, and I want them to know that we support them. As a veteran of two wars, I know first hand that our military men and women fighting for our freedoms overseas watch our actions at home. They see this on TV, they hear it on radio, and they read it in the newspapers. I know our brave men and women watch to see whether their leaders at home have the political fortitude, and the stomach to support their actions abroad.…”