A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

The Armed Forces of the United States have always answered the call and served with distinction around the world from the muddy trenches of World War I, the bloody beaches of World War II, the cold and difficult terrain in Korea, the steamy jungles of Vietnam and now the desert sands of the Middle East.

The men and women of the armed forces have paid a great price defending freedom and democracy. Many have died in the service of their country. Many others have come home carrying the scars of war and horrific injuries that will be with them for the rest of their lives.

All Americans should not only solemnly honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for their country but we should also honor the millions of living disabled veterans who carry the physical and mental scars of war every day, and who have made enormous personal sacrifices defending the principles of our democracy.

This is why I have chosen to add my name to a bill that creates a reminder to ensure that the memory of the courage and sacrifice of America’s Disabled American Veterans will endure for generations to come.

S. 2119 is a bill that authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a commemorative coin honoring the millions of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been disabled while serving our country. The bill, which is also known as the American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act of 2007, requires that revenues from a surcharge on the sale of the commemorative coin will go to the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation to help cover the costs of building the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C. which has already been approved.

If enacted, the coins will be minted starting in 2010, the same year that the groundbreaking and dedication of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial are expected to take place.

Americans express our pride, patriotism, values, and national identity through memorials that signify and define who we are as a nation. It is important that we maintain public recognition and awareness of the extraordinary sacrifices disabled veterans had made on behalf of their fellow citizens and our country. That is why I feel honored to add my name to the bill that will allow each and every American to have one of these coins while helping to build what will be a very special monument to honor those who have given so much for our country.

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	Column	January 7, 2008
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS The Armed Forces of the United States have always answered the call and served with distinction around the world from the muddy trenches of World War I, the bloody beaches of World War II, the cold and difficult terrain in Korea, the steamy jungles of Vietnam and now the desert sands of the Middle East. The men and women of the armed forces have paid a great price defending freedom and democracy. Many have died in the service of their country. Many others have come home carrying the scars of war and horrific injuries that will be with them for the rest of their lives. All Americans should not only solemnly honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for their country but we should also honor the millions of living disabled veterans who carry the physical and mental scars of war every day, and who have made enormous personal sacrifices defending the principles of our democracy. This is why I have chosen to add my name to a bill that creates a reminder to ensure that the memory of the courage and sacrifice of America’s Disabled American Veterans will endure for generations to come. S. 2119 is a bill that authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a commemorative coin honoring the millions of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been disabled while serving our country. The bill, which is also known as the American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act of 2007, requires that revenues from a surcharge on the sale of the commemorative coin will go to the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation to help cover the costs of building the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C. which has already been approved. If enacted, the coins will be minted starting in 2010, the same year that the groundbreaking and dedication of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial are expected to take place. Americans express our pride, patriotism, values, and national identity through memorials that signify and define who we are as a nation. It is important that we maintain public recognition and awareness of the extraordinary sacrifices disabled veterans had made on behalf of their fellow citizens and our country. That is why I feel honored to add my name to the bill that will allow each and every American to have one of these coins while helping to build what will be a very special monument to honor those who have given so much for our country. ###