“We honor the brave men and women of the United States military from Maryland and nationwide … Because of their sacrifices, America remains a beacon of hope and opportunity, and a defender of democracy and human rights around the globe.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement in commemoration of Memorial Day, which will be recognized on Monday, May 29, 2023.
“Today, we honor the brave men and women of the United States military from Maryland and nationwide who lost their lives in defense of our nation. Because of their sacrifices, America remains a beacon of hope and opportunity, and a defender of democracy and human rights around the globe. We may never be able to repay the debt of gratitude that is owed to our fallen heroes, but we can and must recommit ourselves to supporting our veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families.
“On this day, I am thinking about fallen soldiers like Mark Mayo, who was an enlisted military policeman from Hagerstown. Mayo was killed when a civilian approaching a Navy destroyer at the Naval Station Norfolk took a weapon from a sailor and used it to fatally shoot him. He was only 24-years-old when he died. Let us take a moment to remember heroic service members like Mark Mayo today and every day.
“As former President Obama once said about our fallen heroes, ‘They, and we, are the legacies of an unbroken chain of proud men and women who served their country with honor, who waged war so that we might know peace, who braved hardship so that we might know opportunity, who paid the ultimate price so that we might know freedom.’
“As we honor the fallen, let us also honor the sacrifices of the families who have lost a loved one. To the families and friends of these selfless patriots, America will forever be indebted to you as well.
“This Memorial Day, as we reflect on the heroism and determination of America’s fallen soldiers, I hope their courage and sacrifice will serve as an example for others. May their lives and deeds inspire future generations to serve their country and protect the values of freedom, liberty, and justice, upon which our nation was founded.”
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