Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-05-21

REMEMBERING OUR SERVICEMEMBERS THIS MEMORIAL DAY

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Context

On 2026-05-21, Representative Jeff Crank (R-CO-5) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING OUR SERVICEMEMBERS THIS MEMORIAL DAY" in the House.

Full Text

REMEMBERING OUR SERVICEMEMBERS THIS MEMORIAL DAY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3673-H3674] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING OUR SERVICEMEMBERS THIS MEMORIAL DAY (Mr. Crank of Colorado was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, this Memorial Day, I rise to remember and honor our brave servicemen and servicewomen who made the ultimate sacrifice answering the call to defend our great Nation. Whether it is the men and women who helped us gain our independence from the British throne in the Revolutionary War or the men and women who fought bravely against Japanese imperialism, we owe all of these men and women a debt of gratitude. I hope that we in this Chamber rise to the occasion and that we continue this tradition of this country recognizing and honoring the memory of those who gave their lives so that we could have this liberty and freedom that God entrusted to us in this Nation. Just this year, we lost a young soul who was stationed in my district, a [[Page H3674]] gentleman from Kentucky, Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington. He gave his life in service to our country. Ben courageously answered the call to protect us from those who sought to do us harm, and his sacrifice is a grave and sobering reminder of the dangers that our men and women in uniform face across the globe each and every day. Just like our police officers and our first responders, they walk out the door to deploy, sometimes a very long deployment, sometimes 9 months, 11 months, and they don't know if that is the last time they will see their spouse or their daughter or their son. We must remember this sacrifice. Servicemembers like Benjamin remind us that Memorial Day is not only a day to mourn our fallen but a deeply personal day for our military families and for our loved ones who bear the everlasting burden. It is not about barbecues. It is about remembering those who gave their lives. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking and honoring those who have served our great Nation. ____________________

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REMEMBERING OUR SERVICEMEMBERS THIS MEMORIAL DAY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3673-H3674] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING OUR SERVICEMEMBERS THIS MEMORIAL DAY (Mr. Crank of Colorado was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, this Memorial Day, I rise to remember and honor our brave servicemen and servicewomen who made the ultimate sacrifice answering the call to defend our great Nation. Whether it is the men and women who helped us gain our independence from the British throne in the Revolutionary War or the men and women who fought bravely against Japanese imperialism, we owe all of these men and women a debt of gratitude. I hope that we in this Chamber rise to the occasion and that we continue this tradition of this country recognizing and honoring the memory of those who gave their lives so that we could have this liberty and freedom that God entrusted to us in this Nation. Just this year, we lost a young soul who was stationed in my district, a [[Page H3674]] gentleman from Kentucky, Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington. He gave his life in service to our country. Ben courageously answered the call to protect us from those who sought to do us harm, and his sacrifice is a grave and sobering reminder of the dangers that our men and women in uniform face across the globe each and every day. Just like our police officers and our first responders, they walk out the door to deploy, sometimes a very long deployment, sometimes 9 months, 11 months, and they don't know if that is the last time they will see their spouse or their daughter or their son. We must remember this sacrifice. Servicemembers like Benjamin remind us that Memorial Day is not only a day to mourn our fallen but a deeply personal day for our military families and for our loved ones who bear the everlasting burden. It is not about barbecues. It is about remembering those who gave their lives. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking and honoring those who have served our great Nation. ____________________