Jim Matheson: “Memorial Day is our opportunity, as a nation, to pause and pay tribute to the millions of Americans who gave their lives…”

“Memorial Day is our opportunity, as a nation, to pause and pay tribute to the millions of Americans who gave their lives for this country. We enjoy our freedom and prosperity because we are citizens of a nation that believes in service, dedication, and honor. We believe in liberty and our men and women have always willingly stepped up when called upon in defense of freedom. This year, the Memorial Day weekend celebration on the National Mall will specifically honor America's World War II generation. The National World War II Memorial, which was authorized by Congress in 1993 in memory of those who served and died in World War II, will be dedicated in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, May 29, 2004. Sixteen million Americans fought valiantly, far from home, to protect not just our nation, but the entire world. More than 400,000 Americans died during this war. Thousands more gave their lives during subsequent wars in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and most recently in Afghanistan and Iraq. I would also like to take a moment to give my thanks to the soldiers from my home state of Utah.”