Congressman Steve Rothman delivers Memorial Day addresses

Rep. Steve Rothman delivers Memorial Day remarks at Soldiers’ Monument in Englewood. courtesy Rep. Rothman

Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9), a member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, gave a Memorial Day speech in Englewood, North Arlington, and Teaneck. Below are excerpts from his remarks at Soldiers’ Monument in Englewood.

Today we remember and honor our war dead. President Abraham Lincoln once said, “A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.” Today, we are here to honor our nation’s heroes.

I’m humbled to stand before you on behalf of the people of the Ninth Congressional District of New Jersey, as a sign of our deepest gratitude and respect for all those who gave their lives for our great country. Those who have sacrificed will never be forgotten, and will always serve as a reminder to us, our children, and our grandchildren of what the true price of liberty is.

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On June 7, 1945, at a memorial for the dead American soldiers, General George S. Patton said, “I consider it no sacrifice to die for my country. In my mind, we come here to thank God that men like these have lived, rather than to regret that they have died.”

Brave men and women answered the call to serve, took an oath to protect and defend the nation they loved and our country, our flag, our Constitution, and our very lives have benefited by their sacrifice.

While we mourn the loss of those who died defending our country, we also honor those veterans who returned. Some injured physically, some emotionally, but we are grateful that they have returned, and we are grateful for your service and we owe you a debt of gratitude that we will continue to repay.

So many continue to place themselves in harm’s way. We have more than 250,000 brave young men and women in our U.S. Armed Forces right now in harm’s way … around the world. Defending our nation, the forward tip of the spear, to deter anyone who would seek to attack our beloved nation, or her citizens.

Let us also remember the promise to them when they return and show them the gratitude and the debt we owe them by continuing to meet the needs and provide the benefits that they have so justly earned.

Finally, let me conclude with a brief saying that was found on the tombstone of a World War II veteran: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, ‘For their tomorrow, we gave our today.'” God bless the fallen, God bless all those who served, and God bless our beloved United States of America.