Jerry Moran: “Today I rise to recognize our Nation's heroic men and women who are serving our country, our citizens, in the war on…”

“Today I rise to recognize our Nation's heroic men and women who are serving our country, our citizens, in the war on terrorism. Following the unspeakable acts of terror on September 11 of last year, the President admonished our Nation to prepare for a long struggle, a military and moral struggle, against terrorism. On Monday, I witnessed the departure of 25 young men and women reservists of the 388th U.S. Army Reserve unit in my hometown of Hays, Kansas. I watched the sacrifices of these families, of the young children who grabbed their dad's and mom's legs and the tears that are shed for moms and dads and friends and family and neighbors. These loved ones of our community have answered the call to duty, and America's war on terrorism has come home. As we now look at the deployment of thousands of United States military forces in combat and in Afghanistan and elsewhere, we should remember and learn from those who have served us in the past. We have to do the right thing by these soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, with proper preparation and readiness before they are deployed. I want to try to assure our families, those in Kansas and elsewhere, that we are doing the right thing to ensure the safe return and a healthy life for our servicemen and women.”