Thomas Daschle: “last month we commemorated the 50th anniversary of Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima holds a special place in our national…”

“last month we commemorated the 50th anniversary of Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima holds a special place in our national consciousness because of the mythic heroism of those who fought there-- and because of the ultimate sacrifice made by those who died there. Grateful as we are to the veterans of Iwo, the truth is: Every veteran has performed an act of heroism, and every veteran deserves this Nation's support. Not simply our gratitude. But our support, while they are on the battlefield, and after they leave it. This week, during an address to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, President Clinton announced a number of initiatives that will provide for some of our newest veterans--the veterans of the gulf war--the support which they clearly need and deserve. I want to focus in particular on one of those initiatives. The President announced that he is creating a Presidential advisory committee on gulf war veterans' illnesses. This will be the first fully independent panel to examine the issues surrounding what has come to be known as gulf war syndrome, the chronic medical problems suffered by many gulf war veterans and, in some cases, their spouses and children.”