Washington, D.C.— Congressman Faleomavaega for Memorial Day paid a special tribute to our fallen soldiers from American Samoa as well as our veterans and active-duty military personnel who daily put their lives on the line for our liberty, peace and freedom.

“Every Memorial Day, Americans throughout the nation salute the men and women in the United States Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and democracy. The debt we owe to those who have laid down their lives for our country is beyond measure. Without their brave efforts and the sacrifice of their families, we would not enjoy the freedom and liberty that are foundational to our country,” Congressman Faleomavaega stated.

 “On this Memorial Day, we also honor the sacrifices of our military men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world,” Faleomavaega added.

“I especially want to pay tribute to our Toa o Samoa, our Samoan men and women in the military, who gave their lives valiantly, as well as our veterans and those who continue to serve. When I speak of our Toa o Samoa before the U.S. Congress and with my colleagues on the Hill, I often remind them of the extraordinary sacrifice and patriotism of our people. As I have mentioned previously, USA Today reported in 2009 that residents of American Samoa were 15 times more likely to be killed in action in Iraq than residents of the United States as a whole.”

“While we still have U.S. troops deployed to Afghanistan, I thank President Obama for keeping his commitment to bringing a responsible end to the American war in Iraq and for the progress we have made in the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.”

“As our troops return home, we must continue to make good on our promise to the nation’s more than 2 million troops and reservists, their families, and 22 million veterans by helping them to obtain good jobs, receive timely access to benefits, and also by improving their access to healthcare and education. I am thankful that all of these priorities have been and continue to be a focal point for President Obama and Democrats in Congress.”

“Today we salute all of our fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. But on this day and every day, we must honor their service with actions that fulfill our commitment to being a nation worthy of their sacrifice,” Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.

Source: Media release, Office of the Congressman