Pence in Veterans Day Oped: We Will Remain Always Faithful

1st Lieutenant Greg Pence with two of his fellow Marines.
 

“We will Remain Always Faithful.”
By Congressman Greg Pence
Veterans Day 2019
RiponSociety.org
 

“When I enlisted in 1979 as a young man, I wanted a challenge. I wanted to serve and to be a part of something bigger. I wanted to be in the company of heroes.

That is what led me to the United States Marine Corps. Like every Marine, I went to boot camp and took an oath to God, to Corps, and to country.

…

In 1983, we were ordered to Beirut, Lebanon as part of the multinational peacekeeping force during the Lebanese Civil War.

…

On October 23rd, an Iranian National affiliated with Hezbollah – a terror group founded, trained and financially supported by the Iranian regime – drove a truck bomb into the very barracks I called home, killing 241 American servicemembers, 220 of which were my fellow Marines.

It was the deadliest day for the Marine Corps since the battle of Iwo Jima.

…

Though I will never know exactly why I was spared when so many were not, I have never forgotten those American heroes.

Earlier this year, I joined with my colleague, Congressman Ruben Gallego, a fellow Marine from Arizona, in introducing H.R. 2790, Our Obligation to Recognize American Heroes Act.

Or, to put the bill in Marine terms, the OORAH Act.

…

This legislation would allow the Gold Star families who lost a loved one in the attack to execute on the $1.68 billion in Iranian funds currently held by a European-based firm.

…

My hope is that the OORAH Act will soon become law so that we can hold accountable the terrorists responsible – and those who funded them – for the murder of 241 patriots and provide a sliver of justice for the families they left behind.

…

As a Beirut Veteran, I understand that Our First Duty is to Remember.

On this Veterans Day, we remember. And, we will remain Always Faithful.

Semper Fi.”

Read the full oped here.   

###

Congressman Greg Pence represents Indiana’s 6th District. From Columbus, Indiana, Pence advocates for conservative Hoosier values as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee.