Daniel Inouye: “I rise with deep humility and honor. The words of my colleagues and friends have touched me greatly. I am most grateful.…”

“I rise with deep humility and honor. The words of my colleagues and friends have touched me greatly. I am most grateful. But in listening to their words, I must suggest that wars are not won by soldiers alone. It takes a united nation to do that. The war that we were privileged and honored to serve in was a war that a united America carried out. Husbands went to war, but their wives stayed home and worked in the factories. Some worked in the fields. There were mothers who were in anguish every day while their sons were away, but they gave us hope. They gave us courage. Little kids went around collecting pennies to buy bonds. Yes, it took a nation to win this war. The memorial testifies to that. It does not just honor those who served in battle, but it honors those wives and sweethearts who worked in the factories, the little students who collected scrap metal and pennies. Yes, we were young. But we knew what was going on. I have been asked many times: If given the chance, would I do it again? I think I speak for all of my colleagues: Certainly, because it was the right thing to do. It was the American thing to do. And what we did I am certain all other Americans would have done. We all received medals. It is unfortunate that all Americans could not receive those medals. Well, I can tell you that my mother deserved a medal. She had to look at the little flag that flew over her window. There were three stars on it. My two brothers served in the Korean war.”