Political Quotes

“I wish to commemorate Veterans Day and to thank all those who have served our country for their extraordinary bravery and sacrifice. As many of my colleagues know, President Woodrow Wilson first established this holiday--originally known as Armistice Day--on November 11, 1919, to honor the brave Americans who fought and died in World War I. After the end of World War II, Armistice Day was expanded to honor all veterans of our military services, and the holiday's name was changed to Veterans Day. My home State of Maryland has a long and proud military tradition dating to the first militiamen who set foot in the Maryland Colony in 1634; to the War of 1812, where our soldiers famously held Fort McHenry and our national anthem, the ``Star-Spangled Banner,'' was penned; through both world wars; Korea; Vietnam; the Persian Gulf war; and our most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Maryland's veterans and troops represent the best of our State and our Nation. Earlier this year, I had an opportunity to help present a Congressional Gold Medal to former Tuskegee Airman William A. Colbert, Jr., a lifelong Marylander. Mr. Colbert enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943 and achieved the rank of flight officer at the Tuskegee Army Air Field. While Mr. Colbert never saw combat, he learned to fly with the best and became a full-fledged Red Tail. And as part of the first all-Black combat unit in the U.S. Armed Forces, Mr.…”