U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill offered her condolences to an Iraq war veteran who died this week while speaking at a Veterans Day event at the National World War I Museum Tuesday morning.
Tomas Young, 34, who was paralyzed after being shot by a sniper in 2004, died from health complications Monday. He was an anti-war activist and former Kansas City resident.
"He, along with many others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, are certainly deserving of our affection and respect and deference on this day and every other day of the year," McCaskill says.
McCaskill said it was an honor to be at the museum for its Veterans Day ceremony. She spoke of the history of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which turned 200 this year. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it the national anthem in 1916.
"But the U.S. Congress did not officially recognize it," says McCaskill. "Glad to know the U.S. Congress has always been stubborn."
Also in attendance Tuesday were U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and and Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James. There was some good-natured ribbing between Sanders, an Army veteran, and James, a Marine veteran.
In his remarks, Sanders alluded to the recent scandal of long wait times at Veterans Affairs hospitals, urging the audience to remember veterans not just on Veterans Day.
"We as a nation, we as a people, owe our veterans nothing less but to be vigilant 365 days a year in insisting they receive all the benefits and all the care they earned in fighting for us," says Sanders.
James offered his thanks not just to those who've served, but to the families who've made their own sacrifices while loved ones went to war.
"Our war is not over," says James. "We have things to do right here in this country. Veterans are in a great position to share with those who have not had the experience of military life the lessons learned. What it means to be courageous, truly courageous. What it means to have honor. What it means to fulfill duty."
