09.29.16

Hoeven: Senate Designates October 26 as 'Day of the Deployed'

Senators Encourage Americans to Honor Nation’s Deployed Service Members, Families

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D), along with Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kans.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), today announced that the U.S Senate has passed a resolution declaring October 26 as the “Day of the Deployed” and encouraging Americans to pay tribute to the nation’s deployed service members and their families. The resolution passed unanimously in the Senate.

“Our nation asks a great deal of our service members and their families, especially when they are called to leave their homes and serve overseas,” said Senator Hoeven. “The ‘Day of the Deployed’ is all about recognizing these brave men and women and their work to keep our nation free and safe. We encourage all Americans to honor the sacrifice of our deployed soldiers and their families, and join us on October 26 in paying tribute to their selfless service and bravery.”

“I applaud every soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine who has volunteered to serve this nation,” said Senator Roberts. “I am pleased we can designate this special day to honor and pay tribute to those fighting overseas, away from their loved ones at home and in harm’s way. I am humbled by their sacrifice and selflessness on this day and every day.”

“Those who put on the uniform, risk their lives and serve our country deserve our thanks each and every day,” said Senator Heitkamp. “This resolution designating October 26 as ‘Day of the Deployed’ gives us a chance to really step back and pay tribute – not just to our deployed service members, but also to their families and loved ones at home.”

“Our men and women in uniform serve our country with courage and honor at home and abroad, and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude,” said Senator Gary Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the Homeland Security Committee. “Whether it’s our active duty Armed Forces deploying to fight global terrorism, or the heroes of our Reserve and National Guard units who are ready and willing to leave their civilian lives and answer the call of duty at a moment’s notice, our servicemembers are working to protect our country and preserve peace across the globe. I’m honored to join my colleagues to designate October 26th as the Day of the Deployed and recognize the immense sacrifices that our servicemembers and their families make in order to defend our nation and our ideals.”

“As threats rage around us, we must pause to thank the brave men and women who selflessly defend our nation and protect our freedoms. This day is a small token of our deep appreciation for those who wear the uniform, and for the families who endure long periods of separation when their loved ones are sent into harm’s way,” said Senator Tester.

Currently, more than 2 million people serve as members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those in the active duty, Guard and Reserve Components, with several hundred thousand members deployed each year to 150 countries around the world.

As Governor of North Dakota, Hoeven launched the first “Day of the Deployed” on October 26, 2006. The senator continued to spearhead the effort in the U.S. Senate, sponsoring the first Senate resolution calling for a national “Day of the Deployed” in 2011.

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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