WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in recognition of Memorial Day 2018, which this year is celebrated on Monday, May 28.

“Across our proud nation this Memorial Day weekend, we remember the men and women of our Armed Forces who made the greatest sacrifice imaginable. Whether it was on the battlefield of Antietam, the beaches of Normandy or in the mountains of Afghanistan, thousands of Americans have taken up the mission to defend their nation at home and abroad knowing that they may not survive. This Memorial Day, we pay honor to their immense courage.

“I specifically remember the sacrifices of my fellow citizens from Maryland like those of Specialist Tocarra Green during this time. She was the first woman from Maryland to die in the Iraq War. I remember Sergeant Erick M. Houck, a Baltimore native like me, who died in Afghanistan just last year. It is a remarkable notion that these fellow citizens were willing to pay such a high cost for my own freedom. They and those like them deserve every honor we can bestow.

“Memorial Day weekend often serves as an opportunity for Americans to spend time with friends and family. As we consider the cost of our freedom, let us also remember the families of our fallen, our Gold Star families. As we remember the sacrifices of our service members we recognize the tremendous loss to these great American families and admire their patriotism.

“In spite of all of these sacrifices, the struggle to preserve our freedom continues. Just as in times past, our enemies seek threaten the freedom for which our American brothers and sisters have laid down their lives. These enemies have attacked the integrity of our electoral system and our freedom of speech while seeking to reverse our progress against racial inequity and religious freedom. One of the best ways to honor our fallen heroes is for us to work together to defend our freedom and our American principles. We cannot allow the erosion of the liberties our friends have fought so hard to defend.

“As I pray for the families of our fallen this weekend, I will also pray for our men and women currently serving at home and abroad along with their families. I am truly grateful for those who have served our country past and present and I will continue to do my very best to serve them.”