Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2013

Floor Speech

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of Mr. Young's statement. As a fellow * * * as is Bill Young, and as a father of four sons currently in the military, I find the suggestion that the Department of Defense spends too much money recovering the remains of our military men and women who are killed in action to be absolutely offensive and insensitive to military families. As Chair of the Military Personnel Subcommittee I appreciate the extraordinary efforts of recovery worldwide.

Our service members who are engaged in combat operations make a solemn vow to one another: ``I will never leave a fallen comrade behind.'' The military, consisting of all the branches of service have a similar responsibility to the families of our service members. When a service member is killed in action, the military service branch that they belong to has a responsibility to return the remains home to the family. They have a responsibility to return the remains to their final resting place with dignity and honor.

The military men and women who are killed in action overseas are heroes who make the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedom that we all enjoy. The military rightly does everything necessary to return our service members' remains to their families. I believe that the military does a superb job under very trying circumstances, and I know that our military families are very grateful. I know firsthand of this * * *. I sadly was present for the return of a brother-in-law killed overseas as a Marine pilot. Our family appreciated the proven love of the American people, which has been promoted by Congressman Bill Young and his wife, Beverly.

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