On Memorial Day, Duckworth Honors Fallen Servicemembers and Gold Star Families

MACKINAW, Ill. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) paid tribute to our nation’s fallen servicemembers at the Mackinaw American Legion “Emery Whisler” Post #607 Memorial Day Observance Ceremony. Duckworth joined local leaders including Village President Josh Schmidgall, Post 607 Commander Stu Schmidgall, Post 607 Vice Commander Tom Neely as well as Veterans and servicemembers at the Mackinaw Township Cemetery to honor those who were killed in the line of duty. Photos of today’s event are available on the Senator’s website.

“This weekend is a somber reminder for our entire nation,” Duckworth said. “Memorial Day is a day to remember all those who answered the call not for themselves, not for their family members, but for democracy. Because when you serve this nation, you’re stepping forward to defend our Constitution and our freedoms for the entire nation. And when you lay down your life in that process, you are laying down your life for people who will never know your name, never know to thank you, never know that you did this. But they will benefit, and their children and grandchildren will benefit from your sacrifice. And what we can do, those of us who survive, is to continue that commitment to our democracy.”

Prior to the ceremony, Duckworth met with over 20 Gold Star families from across Illinois to honor and remember the brave servicemembers and loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. In addition, Duckworth yesterday spoke at the annual Norridge Memorial Day Observance Ceremony. Photos from Norridge’s ceremony can be found on the Senator’s website.

Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service in 2014 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. As a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) and Veterans’ Affairs Committees (SVAC), Duckworth oversees the nation’s common defense, military operations, servicemember pay and retirement, military family benefits and the selective service system.

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