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Floor Speech

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Mr. REED. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague and friend in Kansas for his partnership in recognizing the Army as the coleaders of the Army Caucus here in the U.S. Senate.

Thank you, Senator, very much.

Mr. President, I rise, along with my colleague from Kansas, to recognize a remarkable moment in our Nation's history. On June 14, 1775, delegates from each of the American Colonies met in Philadelphia to convene the Second Continental Congress.

On that momentous day, Congress voted to establish the Continental Army and tasked it to ``provide for the common defense of these colonies.''

The following day, the Congress unanimously elected George Washington to be the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. It was an auspicious start for what would become the greatest fighting force the world has ever known.

Today--or in a few days, certainly--we celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.

The Army has a straightforward, but enormously critical, mission: to fight and win the Nation's wars. Today, we take a moment to reflect on that mission and to honor all of the soldiers who have served faithfully in the Army ranks. Whether as volunteers or in response to a draft, millions and millions of men and women have answered the call to serve. They each swore an oath to the Constitution, a unique feature of service to our Nation. By swearing an oath to the Constitution and its ideals, rather than a leader or a party, American soldiers stand apart as patriots, not partisans. And our Nation stands proudly throughout the world.

American soldiers have served on their own soil to break the bonds of tyranny and to keep our Nation united. They have served on foreign soils to defend our allies, uphold humanity, and protect the American people. And they have stepped forward to help in humanitarian crises and natural disasters at home and around the world when needed most.

It is also fitting to acknowledge the contribution of the Department of Army civilians, who take the same oath and who bring their skills and dedication to bear in support of the Army's mission.

And, of course, we also pause to thank all of the families who, over the course of 2\1/2\ centuries have stood by their loved ones in their service--families who supported their soldiers in the earliest days with little or no communication to today, where family witness in real time the challenges their loved ones face. Families have and always will be the true strength of our Army.

The Army's story also is not just one of battles won, but of values upheld, values of leadership, respect, selfless service, integrity, and personal courage--and a value that resonates deeply with me: duty, honor, country.

Finally, we pay tribute to those who gave the last full measure of devotion in service to our Nation. Their sacrifice is woven into the very fabric of our history, and their legacy lives on in every soldier who raises their right hand and takes the oath.

For me personally, the opportunity to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army and to lead American soldiers was the greatest privilege of my life.

I would end by recalling the enduring motto of the Continental Army:

This we'll defend.

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