Senator John McCain, (R - Arizona) U.S. Navy 1958-81; POW Vietnam 1967-73
"What is a hero to me? As memorable as such things are, it’s not heroic to hit a two run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, when your team is down a run. Heroism is another, rarer order of human endeavor than the most storied achievements of skill, fortitude and intelligence; rarer even than a show of courage. For heroism must have as its object something other than success, reward, renown. It must, at least for a moment, overcome the strongest instincts of human nature and value someone or some virtue more than self-interest. Heroism risks self-interest for the sake of that other value. Even the instinct for self-preservation cannot constrain it."
"We are born with one nature, selfish and acquisitive, and we build our second nature, our character. Selflessness is the highest quality of a well built character. Heroism is its purest expression. And love is its cause."
Senator McCain is one of many politicians who has served in the Armed Forces. The following former servicemen talked to FOX News about their thoughts this Memorial Day. Click on their names to read as they pay tribute to our troops.
Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (R - California) United States Marine Corps, 2001-2007; the first Marine combat vet of both the Iraq and Afganistan conflicts elected to Congress.
By Congressman Patrick Murphy (PA-08) U.S. Army 1996-2004
This weekend, men and women across the U.S. will gather to celebrate a holiday that has come to be known as the beginning of summer. And while we enjoy the weekend with family and friends, Americans must also recall the real reason we mark the fourth Monday in May. This year, in the midst of two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we would do well to celebrate the true spirit of Memorial Day by honoring those warriors who have laid down their lives in defense of our nation.
To families of the fallen, this day will forever be a deeply personal and emotional time. I hope that they find some comfort in the fact that millions of Americans will remember and honor their loved ones’ sacrifices.
I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices my fellow paratroopers made half a world away from their homes and their families. Nineteen of the guys I served with in the 82nd Airborne Division never made it home, and I think of them all the time. I think, too, about the eighteen heroes from Bucks County, in my district - the Pennsylvania 8th - who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Memorial Day in particular, I try to honor their service to this nation.
I can think of no better tribute to fallen servicemembers from my state, and across the country, than continuing to honor those who did make it home -- which means doing right by our veterans and providing them with the best possible care.
We owe a tremendous debt to the men and women who have worn the uniform for our country. Memorial Day is a chance not only to thank them, but also to fight to ensure that all of our returning heroes, whether they served 50 years ago or last month, have access to a quality education, excellent healthcare, and the numerous other services and benefits they so rightly deserve.
For our brothers and sisters in arms who have had a tough time readjusting to civilian life, who fall into homelessness and substance abuse, and who suffer from PTSD or TBI, the hallmark injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they must know that they are not alone.
That’s why I have fought so hard to ensure that we do right by them. I worked to pass the 21st Century GI Bill, which provides the largest expansion in veterans’ educational benefits since World War II. This bill will provide those who have served our country since 9/11 with a high-quality public university education for 2 or 4-year degrees- the same benefits that their predecessors received.
And in the 2009 VA budget we passed, we’ve taken a major step toward opening VA healthcare to all veterans by expanding enrollment to so-called “Priority 8 veterans”: those whose incomes exceed the maximum eligibility threshold by 10 percent or less.
Caring for our nation’s veterans is not a Democratic issue, and it’s not a Republican issue; those of us on both sides of the aisle are morally compelled to care for the men and women in uniform who have served this country, providing for our safety and freedom.
I remain deeply committed to ensuring that we continue to honor our heroes not just in word, but in deed. This Memorial Day, let us rededicate ourselves to honoring the fallen -- and all who have worn the uniform -- in our treatment of the servicemen and women who were blessed to make it back home.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) U.S. Air Force 1984-present; Currently serving in the Air Force Reserves
My father served in the Army Air Corps in World War II in the Pacific theater. I remember very well the pride he took in serving our nation. He always talked about his buddies who didn’t make it home as being the 'real heroes.' I am honored and humbled to be able to spend this Memorial Day at the Normandy American Cemetery in France in the company of those 'real heroes.' In a far away land, they made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation they loved. We remain thankful for their service and will forever remember their sacrifice.
Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (R - California) United States Marine Corps, 2001-2007; the first Marine combat vet of both the Iraq and Afganistan conflicts elected to Congress.
“Memorial Day is a time to honor and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. Like so many other Americans, I joined the Marine Corps after 9/11 and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of us are personally connected to those who lost their lives in the war against America’s terrorist enemies. Their memory and sacrifice, as well as those who lost their lives defending our nation at other times in history, will never be forgotten.”
Senator John Murtha (D - Pennsylvania) Marine Corps, 1952-55, 1966-67; A decorated Vietnam combat veteran
"Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are performing magnificently across the globe. Their dedication to country and continued sacrifices for freedom are inspirational. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families each and every day, particularly on Memorial Day."
Rep. Steve Buyer (R - Indiana) Army Reserve, 1980-84; Army, 1984-87; Army Reserve, 1987-present; Tour of duty in the first Gulf War in 1991
“War may sound glorious in verse or prose, but in reality it is not. It is the warrior who experiences the cold sting of battle and the long, dark shadow of horror. To those who lost their lives, let us all salute their sense of duty. Their ultimate sacrifice inspires us to see visions, dream dreams and to see America move toward a greater future as a beacon of liberty and freedom for the world.”
Senator Daniel Inouye (D - Hawaii) Medal Of Honor; U.S. Army 1943-47
On his own service:
“I will never forget what serving America has meant to me; being a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team indelibly shaped my life."
On Memorial Day:
"Memorial Day is a time to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by Americans in harm’s way. Let us keep them close to our hearts, as well as the men and women in uniform who are defending us today.”
Senator Bill Nelson, (D - Florida) U.S. Army Reserves, 1965 to 1971
"Many in my generation were inspired to serve our country by leaders like President Kennedy. Some made the ultimate sacrifice to keep America free and safe. We must never, ever forget their service. Nor can we ever forget the dutiful commitment by past and future generations of men and women in our military."
Former Senator Chuck Hagel, (R - Nebraska) United States Army infantry, 1967–1968
To the current servicemembers here and abroad:
"First, thank you for your service to your country and man kind. Second, what you’re doing is a very noble effort. You’re sacrificing yourself, your time, your family and it’s for a noble cause. I think it enhances people – it surely did me. I know it doesn’t everyone. It gives you a sense of your country, of duty, of responsibility."
On the importance of Memorial Day:
"It is a day to reflect upon those who have gone before us and who have sacrificed to build a better world; it's a day to honor those individuals. And a day to remember how we are so blessed in so many ways."
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I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices my fellow paratroopers made half a world away from their homes and their families. Nineteen of the guys I served with in the 82nd Airborne Division never made it home, and I think of them all the time. I think, too, about the eighteen heroes from Bucks County, in my district - the Pennsylvania 8th - who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Memorial Day in particular, I try to honor their service to this nation.
“Memorial Day is a time to honor and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. Like so many other Americans, I joined the Marine Corps after 9/11 and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of us are personally connected to those who lost their lives in the war against America’s terrorist enemies. Their memory and sacrifice, as well as those who lost their lives defending our nation at other times in history, will never be forgotten.”
"Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are performing magnificently across the globe. Their dedication to country and continued sacrifices for freedom are inspirational. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families each and every day, particularly on Memorial Day."
“War may sound glorious in verse or prose, but in reality it is not. It is the warrior who experiences the cold sting of battle and the long, dark shadow of horror. To those who lost their lives, let us all salute their sense of duty. Their ultimate sacrifice inspires us to see visions, dream dreams and to see America move toward a greater future as a beacon of liberty and freedom for the world.”
On his own service:
"Many in my generation were inspired to serve our country by leaders like President Kennedy. Some made the ultimate sacrifice to keep America free and safe. We must never, ever forget their service. Nor can we ever forget the dutiful commitment by past and future generations of men and women in our military."
To the current servicemembers here and abroad: