Senator Jon TesterMay 26, 2014Yellowstone National Cemetery

We are here today for two reasons: to honor those who gave their lives in defense of this great country and to dedicate a national veterans cemetery for those who have fought, died and served this nation in our country’s military.

Today, we think of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that each of us enjoy today. Freedoms that we must not take for granted. For those who have served and are currently serving, we say thank you.

For those who have given their lives, there are no words that can square the deal. So it is today as it should be every day, that we say thanks.

Thanks for allowing us to have freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to demonstrate, the right to a fair trial, the list goes on because of the soldiers who were willing to serve. I think it is beset said on a plaque in Arlington National Cemetery. Here is what it says:

‘Not for fame or reward. Not for place or for rank. Not lured by ambition, or goaded by necessity. But in simple obedience to duty as they understood it. These men suffered all. Sacrificed all. Dared all – and died.’

Thank you.

Today is also a special day because of this place – the Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery – a national VA cemetery – a place that we are dedicating on Memorial Day of 2014.

Just six weeks ago, we dedicated the expanded Billings VA Clinic – a state of the art clinic that will provide comprehensive care to some 20,000 veterans across Montana and northern Wyoming – a clinic that we are all proud of.

Today, the VA is under fire due to allegations of secret waiting lists and veterans dying due to long waits – creating cries of DC politicians to privatize the VA.

Well, don’t let the VA be privatized – let’s get the facts, let’s fix the problems and make the VA better, but don’t turn VA healthcare over to a bunch of government contractors.

So how did this place become a national VA cemetery? First of all, look at the person sitting beside you. If it wasn’t for the incredible local efforts by the veterans in Yellowstone County and across this state, we simply wouldn’t be here today.

County Commissioner Bill Kennedy is someone who nearly every time I spoke to him over the past seven years brought up this cemetery.

So because of this effort, I started the conversation about a national cemetery with George Bush’s secretary of the VA, James Peake. In fact, in 2008, I brought James Peake to Billings, and we heard from you about the importance of National Cemetery designation.

I continued this push with General Shinseki after he was appointed VA Secretary in 2009. Soon after, we were able to secure funding for an initiative called the Rural Veterans Cemetery Initiative that Secretary Shinseki set up specifically for projects like this one.

In fact, just last Wednesday, we were able to insert through my appropriations subcommittee 58 million dollars to support the Rural Veterans Burial Initiative.

But the push for national recognition did not become a reality until Steve Muro, the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, stepped up and made sure it happened. Steve in here today – Steve, thank you for making this National VA Cemetery happen.

Thank you and the VA for everything you’ve done to make today a reality and ensuring a fitting resting place for Montana veterans and their families.

Which brings us back to the first reason we are here today – remembering the fallen. Honoring those who died while serving in our armed forces.

Why should we remember? Other than the freedoms we enjoy, other than being able to live in the greatest country on Earth, it is because of incredible sacrifice and pain – not only by the soldier, but by their family as well.

These folks didn’t sign up and serve because of fame or reward or rank or ambition. But because of simple obedience to duty and love of this country.

This Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery will be the final resting place to just those kinds of heroes. Taps will be heard here today and often here after.

This cemetery is part of our community and today, these grounds become part of our national family and our national community.

I want to thank everyone for coming today. Thank you for supporting veterans and their families. Thank you to all the veterans and their families in the audience today.

The nation owes you a great debt of gratitude.

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