Congressman Jim Moran's News Commentary

This Memorial Day weekend, our nation's fallen heroes will be honored for their service and dedication to the protection of our great democracy. Memorial Day has always been a time to reflect on the sacrifices our men and women of the Armed Forces have had to make in order to maintain peace and stability in the world. While public policy and political differences are strongly debated among lawmakers in Washington, often creating an acrimonious atmosphere, the bravery our troops demonstrate should be respected and recognized by all.

This Saturday, May 29th we will again witness the opening of a new chapter in the history of acknowledging our military men and women's service and courage. The long awaited and much anticipated unveiling of the World War II Memorial will take place in Washington, D.C. While space is very limited at the actual unveiling, I am very proud of efforts by the Northern Virginia Visitors Consortium to provide satellite venues at the Masonic Temple in Alexandria, the Mount Vernon Estate and the new Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in Chantilly.

At each site, a live simulcast of the ceremony will be televised, along with special performances and speeches from community leaders. I was honored to have been invited to address the audience at the Masonic Temple. While reservations are filling up fast, feel free to visit www.visitnorthernvirginia.com for more information on obtaining tickets. If you do not have access to the internet, you can call 1-800-432-1792.

For our nation's veterans, this event and the opening of the new memorial will serve as a reminder that our country has not forgotten their courageous deeds. At the same time, in conjunction with showing patriotic and symbolic support, we should also be providing more concrete assistance to our veterans.

As the Iraq War continues, more new veterans are created each day. These soldiers deserve not only our support when they are actively defending our freedoms, but also when they return home or are unable to continue their military service. Far too often, our men and women in uniform do not come back to us in the same physical and mental state as when they left. It is our moral obligation to provide the appropriate medical treatment for both the physical and mental consequences of war.

Despite this fact, I have been troubled and upset with the level of support President Bush and the Republican Congress have offered in this area. Efforts to provide additional funding for the increasing number of veterans have been rebuffed repeatedly, both in the President's budget and in congressional committees. There cannot be a more troubling message sent to the American public than a failure to adequately provide for the people who risk their lives to protect us. Maybe it will take the election of a President who has actually seen live combat action to get this point across.