Dear Friend,

Memorial Day is a time to honor our veterans and remember the sacrifices they made every day to protect our nation. This year, I will be celebrating the accomplishments of one veteran – and mourning the ultimate sacrifice that others made.

I will be visiting an 85 year-old World War II veteran in Commack to present him with four medals and a lapel button for his service that he never received - because he never even thought to ask for them. Frank, a Navy veteran, served on the U.S.S. Scurry, a minesweeper ship in the Pacific. This weekend, I will be presenting him with overdue awards to commend his bravery and service during one of our nation's darkest times.

On Monday, I will be attending a memorial service for the seven CIA operatives who were killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan this winter. These casualties are only a small fraction of those lost in Operation Enduring Freedom; however, along with those who serve in the armed services, we must never forget the courage of our CIA personnel who take on the most dangerous of tasks to protect us from terrorism and do not always get the recognition that they deserve.

If you know a veteran eligible for an overdue medal, have them call my office at 631-951-2210. And for more information on my work with veterans, please visit my website at http://israel.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Steve Israel

Member of Congress