Daily Journal - Renewing our Commitment on Memorial Day

Op-Ed

By Roger Wicker

Each year, Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to remember the Americans we have lost in service to the nation.

This Memorial Day is a difficult but proud time for Gayle and me as our son, a captain in the Air Force, prepares for deployment to Afghanistan. Like many American families with loved ones in the military, we celebrate today not only by reflecting on the past but also by renewing our commitment to those who have served and are currently serving.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee in Congress, I have a direct role in shaping America's military future with the National Defense Authorization Act, which was approved by the committee only days ago. The Fiscal Year 2015 bill, which passed with overwhelming support in committee, represents a bipartisan commitment to providing our troops with the best resources and training available, from state-of-the-art amphibious ships to improved mental health screenings.

The same bipartisan commitment is needed in response to recent allegations of mismanagement and negligence at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers across the country -- a scandal sparked by the tragic deaths of at least 40 veterans waiting for care in Phoenix. Memorial Day is a poignant reminder of the cost that sometimes comes with military service. Many Mississippians have fought and died for the cause of liberty, joining a powerful legacy of American heroes.

Memorial Day may be a time of remembrance, but it also calls us to be mindful of the future of America's military tradition and strength.

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