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[Page S5534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING MILITARY VETERANS
Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise now on behalf of the more than 19
million people in our Nation and half a million people in Michigan who
show us every day what service and sacrifice and love of country is
really all about.
These patriots landed on beaches in Normandy and the Pacific theater,
crept through jungles in Korea, shed blood in Vietnam, survived attacks
in Iraq, and fought terrorists in Afghanistan. These people are heroes.
They love our Nation so much. They are willing to put their lives on
the line for our democracy, our people, and our way of life.
That is why it is so incredibly shocking and infuriating to hear the
President of the United States, the Commander in Chief of our Armed
Forces, disparage our veterans. President Trump called them losers and
suckers--losers and suckers. He said he couldn't understand why anyone
would join the military because ``What is in it for them?''
He said veterans who had lost limbs shouldn't be in parades. Why?
Because he couldn't handle seeing them. He didn't think people would
want to see them. People in Michigan want to see them and thank them
and do so every day.
We all remember what he said about our former colleague and friend,
the late Senator John McCain. President Trump said that he prefers
veterans who didn't get captured.
My own dad served in the Navy during World War II. He signed up
because he believed in a cause bigger than himself. Perhaps President
Trump doesn't understand, but my dad was a sailor, not a sucker.
About one in four people who have served in our armed services now
live with a service-connected disability. President Trump, these
veterans are leaders; they aren't losers.
President Trump wonders what is in it for them. Well, maybe he should
ask them because we all know what they would say. We all know what they
would say: pride, duty, honor, the feeling that comes from putting
something or someone above yourself. It is becoming increasingly clear
that these aren't feelings that the current occupant of the Oval Office
understands.
My dad once told me something I have never forgotten. In fact, it has
influenced my whole life as an elected official. He said that a veteran
should never stand at the back of any line for a job, for healthcare,
for education, or for the military recognitions they earned. My dad
came home after World War II and went to school on the GI bill, and I
don't know what would have happened to our family if he had not had
that opportunity. So my dad said over and over again that a veteran
should not stand at the back of any line. They certainly shouldn't be
put at the end of the line by their own President. It is appalling that
this even needs to be said, actually.
When I heard these comments and heard them verified over and over
again in every media outlet from right to left, verifying that, in
fact, these were his comments, it was stunning. It was appalling. It
made me very angry.
Our veterans deserve a place of honor at the front of the line--at
the front of the line. They deserve a Commander in Chief who respects
them, who honors their service, and, frankly, who gets it. Thank
goodness we have people who believe in things beyond themselves. Thank
goodness we have people who are willing to stand up for all of us, to
keep us safe and stand up for our values and our country.
So on behalf of the people of Michigan, I want to say thank you to
everyone who has served and everyone who is currently serving our
country in our armed services. We are truly grateful for your sacrifice
and service and your willingness to stand up and support and defend our
country.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Alexander). The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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