Earl Pomeroy: “Yesterday morning I had an experience I will never forget. In the snow, in the slush and the ice, I joined the family of…”

“Yesterday morning I had an experience I will never forget. In the snow, in the slush and the ice, I joined the family of Major Alan Johnson as his body was laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery. He had lost his life in an IED explosion in Iraq just 2 weeks before. On behalf of the people of North Dakota, I expressed to the extent I could our profound condolences for the family's loss. The major's grieving widow stared into my eyes and said, ``Do what you can for our troops over there.'' This is not just a plea and a prayer of the families of our soldiers, it is the demand of the American people. I believe each and every one of us here shares an intense commitment to our soldiers that comes right from the bottom of our heart. This debate is revealing a sharp difference between us in how to proceed in Iraq. But there are no differences when it comes to all we share about the valor our soldiers have displayed in service to our country.”