“Let’s thank our heroes who fought for our liberty. Let’s thank those who serve today. Let’s thank their families who serve and sacrifice alongside them. Let’s thank our communities who rally behind them.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor to honor Wyoming troops during Military Appreciation Month.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:

“I rise today to honor Military Appreciation Month. This is a time to renew our commitment to those who defend our freedom – past, present, and future. Most importantly, it is a time to say thank you.

“In Wyoming, our military pride runs deep. This Saturday in Wyoming, there will be ‘welcome home’ ceremonies. These originally began to welcome home Vietnam veterans who were not given a proper welcome when they came home from war. This weekend, all Wyoming veterans will be honored.

“Tens of thousands of service members, veterans, and military families call Wyoming home. Our airmen at F.E. Warren Air Force Base maintain our nation’s nuclear deterrent. Our Wyoming National Guard are ready to serve at a moment’s notice. All of them embody America’s spirit. It is a privilege to represent them in the United States Senate.

“Let me take you back to a moment that changed the world. The date was May 8, 1945. It was Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day. On that day, the world celebrated the triumph of liberty over tyranny. That triumph was paid for by the blood and bravery of 16 million Americans who served. One of those soldiers was my father.

“I have with me his dog tags. I carry them whenever I travel overseas to visit our men and women in uniform. I did it earlier this year in Jordan and Syria. I did it at Thanksgiving in the Middle East. I did it last spring in Djibouti, where we have members of our Air National Guard serving there.

“I also have his prayer book. They used them as a rosary. This rosary has been well-worn, worn out by his thumb. My father fought through the war, through the bitter winter cold of the Battle of the Bulge. He didn’t come home until the war was over. My dad called his comrades ‘ordinary men with extraordinary courage.’ Their lesson endures today. Weakness provokes but strength deters.

“Here we are 80 years later, and we face a dangerous world. Our enemies are aggressive, menacing, and powerful. Under President Trump’s bold leadership, our military is rising to meet it. We are restoring peace through strength. In 100 days, President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have made our military stronger and more respected.

“Recruitment is soaring. The last month was the best in almost 40 years. I was in Mills, Wyoming, for a pancake breakfast with the Lions Club on Saturday morning. I met two young men who were helping to volunteer serving pancakes. One is going to the Naval Academy and one to West Point. The next generation: Ready to serve, ready to defend, ready to protect.

“Today, maintaining military strength requires investment. That is what this Congress is debating. The Greatest Generation built the Arsenal of Democracy. We carry on their legacy by modernizing our military.

“Under unified Republican government, America is embracing new technologies such as artificial intelligence to outpace our adversaries. We are rebuilding our industrial base. We are expanding shipbuilding so our Navy remains the world’s finest. We are improving the quality of life of service members and their families. Because a supported military is a strong military. We are creating an Iron Dome for America so our nation is safe from any danger.

“In all, we are investing more than $150 billion in peace through strength. These efforts, backed by bold leadership, equip our military for a dangerous and menacing world.

“Military strength alone is not enough. VE Day reminds us defending freedom demands moral clarity. This means championing the values of liberty and justice. These are values Americans have always stood for. The Minutemen of Lexington and Concord stood for them. The paratroopers of Normandy stood for them. Wyoming’s troops serving around the world today continue to stand for them.

“I visit with Wyoming troops overseas every Thanksgiving. I started in 2007, my first year in the Senate, when I visited troops in Iraq. I try to visit every deployment of our National Guard. I just got back from visiting Wyoming troops in the Middle East in March. I go to thank them for their service and bring a piece of Wyoming wherever they are in the world. They are often 8 to 10 time zones away from their families. I want to make sure they have everything they need. Often, they just want to talk me about Wyoming.

“We are blessed to have these soldiers. Americans of all backgrounds come to serve. We honor them by remembering our history and thinking about sacrifices so many continue to make. We honor them by equipping them for modern threats. We honor them by uniting as one nation to support them, while in uniform and all of the years after. That means improving veterans’ healthcare access. I’m working closely with Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to ensure America cares for our veterans. He, as a veteran, is committed to that.

“As we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, let’s thank our heroes who fought for our liberty. Let’s thank those who serve today. Let’s thank their families who serve and sacrifice alongside them. Let’s thank our communities who rally behind them.

“Thank you to our service members, veterans, and military families. Because of their courage, America remains safe and free. With the bold leadership we have today, it will stay that way.”

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