The Burton Blog

Burton Hails Presidential Policy Change on Condolence Letters

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement after the White House formally changed the Presidential Policy against sending letters of condolence to the families of service personnel who die by suicide:

“In the summer of 2009, a twenty-five year old Hoosier Army Specialist on his second tour of duty in Iraq named Chancellor Keesling died by suicide in Baghdad.  While he received a full, military honor burial and his family received all kinds of letters of condolence from the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs and a three-star General, they did not receive any kind of a comment or letter of condolence from the President of the United States, Chancellor's Commander-in-Chief.  

“A Presidential letter of condolence is as much about respect for the military family; an acknowledgement by the Nation of their personal loss, as it is about the soldier.  And the lack of acknowledgment and condolence from the President only leaves military families with an emotional vacuum and a feeling that somehow their sacrifices have been less than others.   Whether a soldier, sailor, airmen or marine dies in combat, in a car accident, or because of suicide, nothing diminishes the personal sacrifices each family endured on our country's behalf, while their son or daughter, husband or wife, served in uniform.

“With this change in policy, families like the Keeslings can finally receive full acknowledgement for the sacrifice that they shared with their son in his service to our country and the United States will finally be honoring how these brave men and women chose to live, rather than attempting to disavow their passing.” 

Background:

CBS coverage from 07/05/11

 

Burton Statement On Memorial Day and Remembering our Nation’s Fallen

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement in observance of this year’s Memorial Day weekend:

“For almost ten years, our Nation’s fighting men and women have been serving bravely to keep us free from terror and in defense of liberty and freedom all over the world.  Yet in the pursuit of those who wish to harm us, many have paid the ultimate price by giving their lives to preserve the freedoms we all cherish. It is to the fallen, and their loved ones, that I wish to extend my deepest heartfelt gratitude. 

“As we attend family picnics, parades and other ceremonies this weekend, I hope all of us remember that, for some, everyday is Memorial Day.  There are families in all of our communities that will always leave the light on for a mother or a father, a brother or a sister or an uncle or an aunt who is not coming home. The words of President Abraham Lincoln ring just as true today as they did in the hallowed Soldier's Cemetery in Gettysburg when he said “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

"Since last Memorial Day, the following Hoosiers perished in the service of our nation:

Clements, Chad, 26, Army 08/30/2010

"My thoughts and prayers remain with our Nation’s heroes and their families, and I speak for the Hoosiers I represent when I say, thank you for serving our Nation and protecting our heritage of freedom."

Rep. Burton Statement on the Killing of Osama bin Laden

Indianapolis, IN. – Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05), senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement concerning the death of Osama Bin Laden.

“Today is a great a day for America.  Our Nation’s greatest enemy has been brought to justice.  But we must never forget those who lost loved ones on that fateful morning of September 11th. 

“I want to commend our Nation’s military, the Navy Seals and the CIA who have sacrificed so much for their work in locating and eliminating Osama bin Laden.

“But the war on terror is not over and the fight against al-Qaeda will continue.  We must remain ever vigilant in keeping our country safe as we continue to pursue those who wish to destroy freedom.

Rolling Thunder on Dan Burton

Found this great reference to Dan today on a Rolling Thunder blog.

The POW/MIA Memorial Flag Act (S-1226)

This bill was signed into legislation by President George W. Bush in part due to Rolling Thunder®, Inc.’s lobbying efforts. The main force behind this bill was Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Congressman Dan Burton. The POW/MIA flag will fly below the American Flag any day the American flag is flown in Washington, DC at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean Memorial and the WWII memorial.

Rolling Thunder®, Inc. continues to lobby for enhanced legislation for finding and returning American Prisoners of War, and for legislation to increase military funding to provide our troops with the proper combat protection gear, better compensation, and to provide our troops and veterans with better healthcare and disability benefits.