Charles Skelton: “This is a solemn moment for this body. We are here this evening representing Americans all across our land, and we are…”

“This is a solemn moment for this body. We are here this evening representing Americans all across our land, and we are here to say on their behalf thank you to the young men and women who wear the uniform today, just as those veterans have done in yesteryear. I appreciate the Speaker mentioning to this body that our colleague and friend the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) has been called to Active Duty. We will remember him in our thoughts and prayers, just like we do every soldier, sailor, airman and marine who represents us in this struggle for freedom and the end of a regime that could cause great harm to the free world. It is too bad that we have to have a resolution for our young men and women when they are in danger. Maybe we ought to pass one when there is a time for peace, when there is no conflict or a threat of conflict. It was the British poet Rudyard Kipling that put it so well in his poem ``Tommy'' when he said, It's Tommy this and Tommy that and throw them out the brute, but savior of his country when the guns begin to shoot. I think we should show respect and thanks and appreciation to those who wear the uniform, who are trained daily, working daily, and, when they are called upon as they are now, be ready.”