Daniel Akaka: “I rise today in honor of the Army's 231st birthday. For over two centuries, the Army has served this Nation with…”

“I rise today in honor of the Army's 231st birthday. For over two centuries, the Army has served this Nation with honesty, courage, and dignity, and it is my privilege to take this opportunity to commemorate its birth. Both in times of peace, and in times of war, the U.S. Army has been poised and ready to answer the call of duty to defend our Nation. All of our Army units--Active, Guard and Reserve--share the heritage of the first Continental Army which fought so valiantly for the principles of justice, freedom and democracy. The commitment and duty of the Army soldiers who have risked their lives to preserve our freedom have left an indelible mark on this nation. During the Army's 231 year history, tens of thousands of these brave men and women have sacrificed their lives on distant battlefields to keep our nation safe. I salute them for their service to this country. I also pay tribute to the families of those soldiers who risk their lives for our Nation. Too often the important role that families play goes unacknowledged but their faith and devotion are vital to the Army's success. The families of our soldiers have my deepest appreciation for the sacrifices they make and for the support the give our troops. As this Nation continues to fight in the global war on terror, the Army has been key to providing the Joint force the capabilities it needs to persist in its struggle for liberty and democracy. Through the efforts of the U.S.…”