Rep. Lou Barletta Statement Regarding Memorial Day 2014

Statement

Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today issued the following statement regarding Memorial Day 2014:

"For many Americans, Memorial Day represents a three-day weekend, trips to the beach, or cookouts with friends and family. But on this unofficial kick-off of summer, let us remember what the day truly is about: honoring those men and women who paid the ultimate price in service of this great nation.

"For more than two centuries, beginning when we were just an upstart group of British colonies, and carrying through to today, our armed forces have defended the cause of freedom here at home and overseas. Americans have given their lives to preserve our way of life, which respects self-determination and individual liberty. We owe them a debt we can never truly repay.

"This holiday highlights even more severely the scandalous situation at our Veterans Administration medical facilities. Our military volunteers knew when they signed up that there was a chance they would become casualties in a foreign land, but they did not expect to become a statistic once they had returned safely home. The situation is inexcusable, and reaction to it should know no political party. On this Memorial Day, I am resolved to hold accountable those agencies responsible and ensure that our veterans are afforded all of the benefits and rights they have earned."

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