Pelosi Remarks at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring the American Fighter Aces
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks today at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the American Fighter Aces. Below are the Leader's remarks:
"Good afternoon. It is my honor to join our Speaker, Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader of the Senate Mitch McConnell, Democratic Leader Harry Reid, and express our gratitude to Sen. Manchin and to Congressman Johnson for introducing the legislation that brings us all together here. May I say before I join them in welcoming in all of you, that in the House of Representatives, indeed in the Congress of the United States, we all consider it a special honor to call Congressman Sam Johnson our colleague. He's a bonafide American hero. Thank you, Sam Johnson.
[Applause]
"I want to thank Lieutenant General Charles Cleveland, better known as "Chick', for being with us today. We'll hear from him later as President of the American Fighter Aces Association and I also want to acknowledge Doug King who is the CEO of the Museum of Flight, home of the American Fighter Aces Association, and we thank him for bringing the Aces here today. Thank you very much, Doug King.
[Applause]
"We all join in welcoming the Aces and their families. It's an honor to have you in the Capitol. It is fitting that we are gathered during National Military Appreciation Month. Today, it is my privilege, again, to join in expressing the nation's gratitude for the indomitable spirit and extraordinary legacy of the elite American Fighter Aces. Our Aces exemplify the best of tremendous courage, climbing back into the cockpit time and time again to tangle with the enemy, and ensure that our freedom and democracy endure for generations to come.
"As a Representative of San Francisco in the Congress, I am especially proud that our city hosted the first very American Fighter Aces Association gathering in 1960. San Franciscans are also proud to claim one of the Association founders the late Commander Eugene Anthony Valencia, Jr., one of the top American fighter aces of all time credited with more than 20 victories.
"As we celebrate our Fighter Aces so close to Memorial Day, we also salute the Aces who are no longer with us. They died to keep us free. These legends remind us of the ultimate sacrifice that so many Flyers have made to protect freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness -- not just for Americans, but for people around the world.
"On many continents, the sacrifice of American servicemembers can be seen at American cemeteries. I said, just several weeks ago when we honored the Doolittle Raiders, that it's very interesting that when you go to these cemeteries and you look across the sweeping expanse of tombstones, it's important to note that we usually have to go to the wall to see the names of the men and women who fly America's fighter planes, because that is all that we have now, their memory and their names. So to the families: we owe a special debt of gratitude -- not to diminish anyone's contribution to our security, but to acknowledge the special contribution that Flyers who are no longer with us have made.
"Every time our Aces put on their flight suits, climbed into their planes and took to the skies, that's what they risked. That's what many of them gave -- their lives, their entire being to keep our democracy safe. Our Aces remind us that our freedom endures because people were brave enough to go into battle for our nation. So I thank you, families, and all of our aviators for that history, for that sacrifice, for that service, and for your gifts to our great country. Generations of Americans have been shaped by your leadership, humbled by your patriotism, and energized by your valor.
"On behalf of a grateful nation, we are proud to honor the American Fighter Aces with the Congressional Gold Medal as an expression of our boundless gratitude and deep respect and to recognize that God truly blessed America with their service and their sacrifice. Thank you."
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