Congressman Ander Crenshaw, a member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement in advance of Memorial Day. On Monday, May 26, he will address attendees at ceremonies at Jacksonville's Veterans Memorial Wall and provide the keynote address at the Veterans Salute Memorial Day Program at the Beaches Veterans Memorial Park in Atlantic Beach.
"At Memorial Day ceremonies and services across Florida and around the country, a grateful nation takes pause to honor the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom and recognize those who bravely fight for it today.
"As I help lay the wreath at the Veterans Memorial Wall and humbly address those at the Beaches Veterans Salute Ceremony, I will join in paying my respects to the fallen and thank those who remain on the front lines at home and around the globe. In my hometown of Jacksonville and in my work on Capitol Hill, our nation's veterans and their sacrifices are front and center in my thoughts.
"That's why I took the vote I did on behalf of our veterans last Thursday. As investigations continue in the wake of horrifying deaths within the VA system, the Department of Veterans needs new tools to address a disgraceful problem. The bill passed by the House with my support and gives the VA Secretary the ability to fire and demote those who are responsible.
"And, when I voted to restore the military Cost of Living Adjustment payments for working-age military retirees, my goal was to make sure those who have served receive that they are due -- a commitment that continues day-in and day-out.
"Again, with our veterans in mind, I couldn't be more proud to have guided passage of legislation and secured the funding necessary to build the Jacksonville National Cemetery on the First Coast. With the first burial in 2009, our veterans continue to have a sacred final resting place and their loved ones a beautiful memorial to honor family and friends who have selflessly served our nation.
"In the time ahead as our military continues to travel in harm's way, let us never forget that our nation's greatness is drawn from the blood and sacrifices of courageous men and women who have gone before use. We honor all of them, on Memorial Day and every day."