Jeff Bingaman: “H.R. 3104 is a bill to honor our service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan with campaign medals that…”

“H.R. 3104 is a bill to honor our service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan with campaign medals that recognize--appropriately recognize, in my view--their service and their sacrifice. A few days from now we will all honor those who have given their lives in defense of this great Nation. That is, of course, Memorial Day. This year it takes on special meaning since we clearly are engaged in two wars in which we have suffered many losses. Many fathers and mothers, sons and daughters will spend this Memorial Day not with family and friends but instead in Afghanistan or in Iraq. It is for them and their families that I believe we need to pass this legislation. Over the last 2 weeks, we have been flooded with horrific images of Iraqi prisoners mistreated at the hands of a few soldiers. This set of incidents has cast a dark shadow over the honorable and courageous service of over 2 million men and women in uniform.”