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Sen. Cornyn Salutes Our Nation’s Veterans
These fine citizens have chosen service over self, and have put our safety and our well-being before their own
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
HOUSTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today paid tribute to our nation’s veterans at the 10th Annual Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Commemoration. Following the commemoration, Sen. Cornyn visited League City to present a custom-built home to Lt. Erasmo Valles, USMC (Ret.), an Iraq war veteran, and his family on behalf of the Bay Area Builders Association’s Support Our Troops program.
“On Veterans Day, we are reminded of how very fortunate each of us is to be an American. For more than 200 years, our men and women in uniform have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that our way life, our unique freedoms, and our opportunities would endure and grow stronger. These fine citizens have chosen service over self, and have put our safety and our well-being before their own,” Sen. Cornyn said. “My father was one of our nation’s veterans, having served as a B-17 pilot in World War II. He instilled in me a great respect for our servicemen and women and the central role they have played in making this country the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family. Many veterans and their families join us in Houston today as we commemorate Veterans Day. I salute every veteran who is here with us today and those who are here in spirit. I encourage all Texans to join me in honoring these men and women—not only on Veterans Day, but every day—for their courage, selflessness, and dedication to this great nation.”
Background on Lt. Erasmo Valles:
Lt. Valles was injured in Iraq in March 2004 when his HUMVEE ran over an anti-tank mine. He underwent 22 surgeries and lost his left leg. After 18 months of recovery and rehabilitation at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Lt. Valles now uses a prosthetic leg and is able to walk without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair. He has started graduate school at the University of Texas at San Antonio and will reside with his wife and three children at the new home that has been custom built to meet their needs.
Sen. Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Refugees subcommittee and the Armed Services Committee’s Airland subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.
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