May 29, 2021

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

 

[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 to commemorate Memorial Day. Duckworth joined City of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Michael Grinston and other Veterans and servicemembers to honor local Gold Star families and remember loved ones who were killed in the line of duty. Video of today’s event is available here.

“This weekend is a somber reminder to our entire nation of the true cost of war,” Duckworth said. “Memorial Day is a time to honor all of those who answered the call not for themselves, not for their family members, but for democracy. 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 from it.”

Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service in 2014 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 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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