On the Eve of Veterans Day, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) thanked the Marines and their families gathered at the American Legion Eugene Obregon Post #804 on E. Cesar Chavez Avenue for their service and sacrifices on behalf of our country. 

More than 60 people attended the Post’s 5th Annual Birthday Celebration held to mark the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps 235 years ago on the 10 of November 1775.  Following the raising of the Marine Corps and American flags outside the Post, the congresswoman spoke to the veterans about legislation passed by Congress to assist veterans and their families.

During her remarks, she said to the audience, “It is truly my honor to join the community in paying tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps and the Obregon Marine Corps League Detachment who have honorably worn the uniform of our armed forces.  I also thank all of the other service men and women here today for their service.  Your stories are the stories of our nation’s history because America rose to greatness on the shoulders of our veterans. 

As the wife of a former Marine Officer and Vietnam veteran and the step-mother of an Iraq veteran, I am fully aware of the fact that the debt we owe our veterans is immeasurable and can never fully be repaid.  Nevertheless, it is our unfailing duty to remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure that the tributes we pay to our veterans today go beyond words and that their selfless service to our nation is not forgotten once they come home.

To that end, under the leadership of a Democratic Congress, Congress has passed laws to ensure veterans receive the services and benefits they have earned and so richly deserve.  Our accomplishments on your behalf include the largest funding increase in the 78-year history of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care for veterans and to make badly needed improvements to VA medical facilities.  In addition, the new GI Bill of the 21st Century provides our brave men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with funding for a four-year public college education.  I was also extremely pleased to have secured $7 million in federal funding for the University of Southern California’s military social work and veteran services program to help veterans who are struggling with the psychological and emotional stress of combat when they get home.

While more needs to be done, these are some of the steps taken by Congress to demonstrate our gratitude and to honor our sacred commitment to you, our veterans. 

Without a doubt, we are the beneficiaries of your courage, sacrifice and vigilance in protecting our freedoms and democratic way of life.

You and your families truly embody the selfless patriotism which ensures our country will always remain free.  I also take this opportunity to congratulate the United States Marine Corps on celebrating its 235th birthday of an enduring legacy of gallant service to our nation.  God Bless you, your family and the United States of America.”