Floor SpeechNeutral2026-05-21

HONORING OUR VETERANS

TaxesEnvironmentForeign PolicyDefenseVeteransAgriculture

Context

On 2026-05-21, Representative Melanie A. Stansbury (D-NM-1) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING OUR VETERANS" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING OUR VETERANS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3681-H3682] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING OUR VETERANS (Ms. Stansbury of New Mexico was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, on Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave Americans who gave their lives in service to this Nation, those who wore the uniform knowing that freedom and liberty always carry a cost. Today, I rise in remembrance of the fallen from my home State of New Mexico, a State with a proud military tradition, where generations of servicemembers have answered the call to serve from communities large and small, from Tribal communities, rural towns, land grants, and our great military installations. In New Mexico, military service is woven into the fabric of our communities and the identities of our families. Families sacrifice together. Spouses hold households together through deployments. Children grow up learning resilience and service. Veterans continue serving long after they have hung up the uniform. On Memorial Day, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, we are also mourning the 13 American servicemembers killed during the Iran war, Americans who stood in harm's way on behalf of this country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. We remember: Captain Cody Khork, Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens, Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant Declan Coady, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, Major John Klinner, Captain Ariana Savino, Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, Captain Seth Koval, Captain Curtis Angst, and Technical Sergeant Tyler Simmons. We honor these brave men and women. They were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends, neighbors, teammates, and leaders. Behind every fallen servicemember stands a family whose life will be forever changed. To the Gold Star families in New Mexico and across this Nation: We see you. We honor you. We carry a solemn responsibility to remember your loved ones not just on Memorial Day but every single day. Memorial Day is a sacred reminder of the human cost of war and the extraordinary courage of those willing to defend this Nation even at the highest cost. As we honor the fallen, we also recommit ourselves to supporting our veterans and military families who continue carrying the burdens of service today. That means ensuring veterans can access care through a strong VA system. It means supporting our military families who endure repeated deployments and long separations. It means investing in the servicemembers who are stationed today in places like Kirtland Air Force Base in my district. It means never forgetting the debt this Nation owes to those who have served. This Memorial Day, may we honor the fallen not just with words but with action worthy of their sacrifice. May we remember them, may we honor them, and may we strive every single day to build a nation truly worthy of what they gave for us. Amen. [[Page H3682]] ____________________

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HONORING OUR VETERANS Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3681-H3682] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING OUR VETERANS (Ms. Stansbury of New Mexico was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, on Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave Americans who gave their lives in service to this Nation, those who wore the uniform knowing that freedom and liberty always carry a cost. Today, I rise in remembrance of the fallen from my home State of New Mexico, a State with a proud military tradition, where generations of servicemembers have answered the call to serve from communities large and small, from Tribal communities, rural towns, land grants, and our great military installations. In New Mexico, military service is woven into the fabric of our communities and the identities of our families. Families sacrifice together. Spouses hold households together through deployments. Children grow up learning resilience and service. Veterans continue serving long after they have hung up the uniform. On Memorial Day, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, we are also mourning the 13 American servicemembers killed during the Iran war, Americans who stood in harm's way on behalf of this country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. We remember: Captain Cody Khork, Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens, Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant Declan Coady, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, Major John Klinner, Captain Ariana Savino, Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, Captain Seth Koval, Captain Curtis Angst, and Technical Sergeant Tyler Simmons. We honor these brave men and women. They were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends, neighbors, teammates, and leaders. Behind every fallen servicemember stands a family whose life will be forever changed. To the Gold Star families in New Mexico and across this Nation: We see you. We honor you. We carry a solemn responsibility to remember your loved ones not just on Memorial Day but every single day. Memorial Day is a sacred reminder of the human cost of war and the extraordinary courage of those willing to defend this Nation even at the highest cost. As we honor the fallen, we also recommit ourselves to supporting our veterans and military families who continue carrying the burdens of service today. That means ensuring veterans can access care through a strong VA system. It means supporting our military families who endure repeated deployments and long separations. It means investing in the servicemembers who are stationed today in places like Kirtland Air Force Base in my district. It means never forgetting the debt this Nation owes to those who have served. This Memorial Day, may we honor the fallen not just with words but with action worthy of their sacrifice. May we remember them, may we honor them, and may we strive every single day to build a nation truly worthy of what they gave for us. Amen. [[Page H3682]] ____________________