Washington
Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) today urged President Barack Obama to designate 2009 as the Year of the Military Family. Below are the remarks he made on the House Floor. Congressman Lamborn’s district is home to more than 100,000 veterans and their families. He represents Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, the United States Air Force Academy, Schriever Air Force Base, and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station.
“Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute today to the force behind the force, the military family. It has long been known that the military services recruit individuals but retain families. This has never been truer or more critical than it is today. The support our troops receive from their loving families…mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, spouses and children is intangible, and it is nothing less than a powerful force multiplier. Dedicating a year to honor the service and sacrifice of our military families is the least we can do to say ‘thank you,’ and to call attention to this sometimes forgotten resource.
“Today, Mr. Speaker, millions of Americans have one or more family members serving in the Armed Forces. These incredible families attempt to lead normal lives while their loved ones stand in harm’s way, fulfilling our nation’s oath to serve and protect. But they do not just wait…they also serve. Military spouses spend countless hours volunteering in family readiness programs and wounded warrior networks, all while managing to be two parents at once. Military children, numbering almost two million, attempt to be like other children while trying their hardest not to let sadness and worry overcome them. Mr. Speaker, the strength of the military family is astounding.
“As we celebrate military families, let us not forget the sacrifice of parents. Military parents give their sons and daughters to the nation and pray ceaselessly for their safe return. They look forward to every letter and phone call, while fearing the ringing of the phone and door bell at the same time.
“Military children, Mr. Speaker, are a very different breed of young adult. They do not always have “hometowns” but they do have a heightened sense of family both in the traditional sense and in the special characteristics of the military community. Their home is where the military chooses to send them and their family becomes all who surround them. They do not hesitate to support their family when their mother or father walks out the door for six months, eight months, or more often, for over a year. In most cases, they are Mom or Dad’s biggest fans. Many time the oldest child takes over as “second in charge” while serving as a rock for the youngest. Even at a young age military children know what the words “ultimate sacrifice” mean, and those words are in the back of their minds every day that goes by.
“Military families have an uncanny resilience. They are some of the strongest citizens in this country, and I am privileged to recognize them not only today but every day. I have many such dedicated families in my strongly military district, the Fifth District of Colorado.
“I urge my colleagues to support this very important resolution because without the support of our military families our Armed Forces would not be the incredible power they are today.
“Thank you.”
# # #
