Political Quotes

“Madam President, on Sunday, I had the privilege of attending a welcome home ceremony for the 235th Military Police Company of the South Dakota National Guard after their 10-month deployment to Guantanamo Bay. It was a fitting activity for Veterans Day weekend. The ceremonies are always joyful occasions: seeing couples and families reunited and celebrating together after a long absence, welcoming soldiers back to the familiarity of home. But in the midst of the joy and celebration, these ceremonies are also a powerful reminder of all that our servicemembers and their families give up to serve our country. The joy of reunification points to the months of loneliness in which spouses and loved ones have had to live without their husband or wife, mom or dad, son or daughter. It highlights the long months in which moms and dads have had to shoulder all the burdens of child-rearing alone. The soccer games, the football games, the doctors' visits, the emergency car repairs, the visit from the plumber--all the daily challenges and responsibilities that couples usually share fall solely on the shoulders of the spouse holding down the fort at home. And on top of the responsibility is the anxiety--the constant worry about the loved one halfway around the world and maybe in danger.…”