Congratulating General Stephen E. Osborne

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate General Stephen E. Osborne for being appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds as the 28th Adjunct General of the Iowa National Guard.

General Osborne is a native of Davenport, Iowa, and enlisted in the Army in 1984, actually 10 years after my own enlistment in the Army. He went on to commission as an infantry officer through the University of Alabama in 1990 before transferring to the Iowa National Guard in 1992.

General Osborne deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in 1991 during the Persian Gulf war. He then deployed to Kosovo in 2004 in support of Operation Joint Guardian and Iraq in 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He has served as the Iowa National Guard's deputy adjunct general since 2018 and will now manage more than 2,000 full-time employees and nearly 9,000 part-time soldiers and airmen in his new role as adjunct general.

Iowans can trust the National Guard will be in great hands under the leadership of General Osborne. I wish him the very best as he transitions into this important role. Celebrating Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, which was held yesterday, May 8, and to recognize our veterans' service to this great Nation. The commemorative ceremony is held annually to honor our 115,000 Iowan Vietnam veterans for their service and remember the 868 Iowans who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war. This year's ceremony was held at the Iowa Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated to those who died in combat or after the war as a result of their service.

The Vietnam war was one of our country's most painful times, and our veterans were often not welcomed home. My brother was one of those. I take this chance to thank all of them for their bravery, sacrifice, and strength.

During last week's recess, I had the privilege of visiting with veterans across the First District. As an elected official and as chair of the Subcommittee on Health of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I felt it was my duty to reassure them that the Limit, Save, Grow Act would not cut veterans' benefits or resources. As long as I am in Congress, I will always fight to improve and protect our veterans' benefits.

It is important that we always take the time to recognize the patriotism, dedication, and willingness of our veterans to fight for our liberties and our way of life. Our servicemembers dedicate their lives to protecting our Nation, and it is our duty to honor those commitments both during and after their service.

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