May 25, 2019

Duckworth Pays Tribute to Fallen Servicemembers at Chicago Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade

 

[CHICAGO, IL] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today paid tribute to our nation’s fallen servicemembers at the City of Chicago’s wreath laying ceremony and parade. Duckworth joined local Gold Star families in remembering loved ones who were killed in the line of duty, then participated in Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and 2019 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal Major General Marion Garcia, 200th Military Police Commander, United States Army Reserve. Photos from today’s events are available here.

“Memorial Day offers us a somber reminder of the true cost of war,” Duckworth said. “It is a time for us to remember that wars are not fought by faceless, nameless troops. They are fought by our neighbors, friends, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers—and they leave behind grieving families deserving our respect and support. While we can never fully repay the debt owed to those who lost their lives defending our nation, we must do everything we can to uphold our commitment to those who’ve worn the uniform of this great nation and to their families who have made significant sacrifices on our behalf.”

Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service in 2014 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She was among the first Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom before her Blackhawk helicopter was hit by an RPG and she lost her legs as well as partial use of her right arm. Duckworth is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), which has jurisdiction over the nation’s common defense, military operations, servicemember pay and retirement, military family benefits and the selective service system.

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