Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I wish to honor six brave airmen with the North Carolina Air National Guard who died or were seriously injured while fighting South Dakota's White Draw Fire. Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal, Maj. Joseph McCormick, Maj. Ryan David, and Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cannon were killed July 1 when their C-130 firefighting plane crashed near Edgemont, SD, as they battled a large forest fire in the Black Hills. Two crewmembers survived the crash but were left in critical condition. Men and women in our armed forces put their lives on the line every day for their fellow servicemembers and for all Americans. They serve in the hope that these daily sacrifices will ensure a safer and more prosperous United States. Their actions are not in vain nor forgotten, and members of our armed services are continually in our thoughts and prayers. Airmen fighting these fires are necessarily exposed to dangerous conditions in order for firefighters on the ground to have the chance to contain these wildfires. The importance of these domestic actions by the Air National Guard cannot be overstated. They are fighting to save our homes, our businesses, and our communities from devastating fires, often flying in very dangerous terrain. The names of the fallen airmen will be added to a memorial at the unit's headquarters and their service likewise praised. Great Americans such as these continue to answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed.…”