Senator Jon Tester May 26, 2014 Yellowstone National Cemetery
We are here today for two reasons: to honor those who gave their lives in defense of this great country and to dedicate a national veterans cemetery for those who have fought, died and served
this nation in our country’s military.
Today, we think of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that each of us enjoy today. Freedoms that we must not take for granted. For those who have served and are currently serving, we say thank you. For those who have given their lives, there are no words that can square the deal. So it is today as it should be every day, that we say thanks. Thanks for allowing us to have freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to demonstrate, the right to a fair trial, the list goes on because of the soldiers who were willing to serve. I think it is beset said on a plaque in Arlington National Cemetery. Here is what it says:
‘Not for fame or reward. Not for place or for rank. Not lured by
ambition, or goaded by necessity. But in simple obedience to duty as they understood it. These men suffered all. Sacrificed all. Dared all
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and died.
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Thank you. Today is also a special day because of this place
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the Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery
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a national VA cemetery
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a place that we are dedicating on Memorial Day of 2014. Just six weeks ago, we dedicated the expanded Billings VA Clinic
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a state of the art clinic that will provide comprehensive care to some 20,000 veterans across Montana and northern Wyoming
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a clinic that we are all proud of. Today, the VA is under fire due to allegations of secret waiting lists and veterans dying due to long waits
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creating cries of DC politicians to privatize the VA.
Well, don’t let the VA be privatized –
l
et’s get the facts, let’s fix the problems and make the VA better, but don’t turn VA healthcare over to a bunch of government contractors.
So how did this place become a national VA cemetery? First of all, look at the person sitting beside you. If it was
n’t for the incredible local efforts by the veterans in Yellowstone County and across this state, we simply wouldn’t be here today.
County Commissioner Bill Kennedy is someone who nearly every time I spoke to him over the past seven years brought up this cemetery.