Drake Introduces Legislation Authorizing Military Spouses Monument

Press Release

Drake Introduces Legislation Authorizing Military Spouses Monument

U.S. Representative Thelma Drake (R-Va.), a member of the House Military Personnel Subcommittee, last Thursday introduced legislation authorizing a Military Spouses Monument in the Washington, D.C. area. The Military Spouses Memorial Act of 2007 was subsequently referred to the House Resources Committee for further consideration.

On July 2, 2007, Representative Drake joined the founders of the Military Spouses Legacy Association, Inc., Nicole Alcorn and Karie Darga in a press conference in Norfolk, VA to announce the commencement of a grassroots movement to honor the courage, patriotism and sacrifice of all our nation's military spouses, past and present, with a national monument.

"This legislation represents an important step in fulfilling Nicole and Karie's vision of bringing recognition to the sacrifices all of our military spouses have made," said Rep. Drake. "With their unyielding strength and support, our military spouses provide the backbone of our Armed Forces. This monument will be a fitting tribute to the wives and husbands who are representative of everything that our men and women in uniform fight to protect."

"This bill gives America the opportunity to say thank you to the millions of military spouses and widows, both male and female, past and present for their unwavering support of their military loved one. The selfless service of the military spouse from 1776 forward has made this group of individuals the unsung heroes in the formation and development of this great nation. Together, we can make this monument a permanent symbol of appreciation for their service. We are grateful to Mrs. Drake for the support and appreciation that she has shown to the military spouses and widows and for her sponsorship of this bill," said Nicole Alcorn and Karie Darga in a statement by the Military Spouse Legacy Association, Inc.

The Military Spouses Legacy Association, Inc. was founded in 2007 by Nicole Alcorn, herself a military spouse and the daughter of a military widow, and Karie Darga, who lost her husband, Paul, in Iraq. The association has created a 501(c)3 that will be responsible for collecting the private donations that will fund the construction and maintenance of the monument. To learn more about the Military Spouses Legacy Association, visit http://www.militaryspousemonument.org/home.html.

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