Message from State Senator Carlos Uresti on Veterans

Grateful Texans took time last month to honor the law enforcement officers and soldiers who gave their lives in the line of duty. For more than 150 years, from the streets of San Antonio to the streets of Baghdad, great sacrifices have been made so that others may live with justice and freedom.

On May 18th, it was my honor to address the families of fallen San Antonio police officers in a ceremony at the San Antonio Police Training Academy. Under sunny skies, a 21-gun salute, a helicopter fly-over, a chorus of young voices and a procession of family members bearing flowers made for a stirring and unforgettable tribute to the 51 San Antonio officers who have died on duty since 1857.

On Memorial Day it was again my honor to present a flag to the family of Army Sgt. Steven Talamantez, a McCollum High School graduate who was killed on his second tour of duty in Iraq last July.

The Memorial Day service, one of the first of its kind, has been a tradition at Harlandale for many years. As a McCollum graduate myself, a Marine, the son of a veteran, and the father of a Marine, this ceremony holds a distinctive place in my heart

It was clear from visiting with Steven's family and fellow soldiers that he was a special person who will always be remembered for his devotion to duty, his personality and sense of humor, his compassion and spirit, and for his sacrifice.

We often take for granted the freedom we have to make choices, to speak our minds, to think and worship as we please. And we forget how fortunate we are to live in a country with secure homes and communities, protected by a criminal justice system based on the rule of law.

We must never forget those who gave their lives, on foreign soil and our very own streets, to ensure that our way of life continues. That is why May was a month to remember.

Semper Fi!