WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH - On Memorial Day, May 26^th, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) encourages constituents to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.  All Americans are forever indebted to the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who answered the call to duty and lost their lives in defense of our nation's freedom.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, only a handful of states other than Ohio suffered more casualties in America's most recent conflicts.  During Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn in Iraq, 189 Ohio troops were killed and 1,272 were injured, the fifth highest toll in the nation. During Operation Enduring Freedom: Afghanistan, 86 Ohio service members have been killed, the seventh highest among all states, and 752 were wounded, the fourth highest number of casualties.

"The pain of loss will surface for many veterans' families at this time.  If you know someone who lost a loved one in the Armed Forces, please take the time to offer them comfort. It can be something as simple as a cheerful smile or a small act of kindness. Of this I am sure; we can never say thank you enough to our fallen heroes and to their families," said Congresswoman Fudge.

"Let us also remember the millions of veterans who returned from the battlefield physically or emotionally injured.  It's not enough to express our thanks in words. I believe our nation has a sacred duty to provide for their medical care and address their needs as they return to our communities."

Our fallen warriors have given so much to America.  Let us salute them and their families this Memorial Day weekend.

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