THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR JAY ROCKEFELLER.

Washington, D.C. – Senator Jay Rockefeller made the following comments paying tribute to West Virginia’s soldiers and veterans as the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day:

“The Fourth of July is a special time. It’s a day when we take pleasure in the company of friends and loved ones, share memories and create new ones around the picnic table, and watch our little ones enjoy a sky full of fireworks.

These times are important, emotional American times. They’re priceless.

And, as we all know these special moments have been granted to us by the men and women who have fought – and continue to fight – for freedom in our country and around the world.

Legions of West Virginians throughout our history have served to defend the ideals upon which our nation was founded.

And our responsibility is to make sure we give all of them – those serving today, our newest veterans, and our veterans from every generation – the best support possible.

We worked this year to secure funding that will improve medical facilities for our soldiers, give them more medical options, give them the best equipment, and extend the new GI bill to children of fallen soldiers.

As classes start this August, we’re going to begin delivering on our promise of a college education for our newest servicemembers through the Post 9/11 GI bill we passed last year.

We’re also working in the Senate on legislation I’m cosponsoring that would improve health care services for our veterans by making VA funding work more effectively and efficiently.

As a nation, this is our duty – to support those who supported us in the strongest, most courageous way imaginable.

These are the sons and daughters of this nation who protect us with courage and bravery and we admire their heroism. And this is a holiday where we treasure all the liberties we enjoy and say very clearly to all – thank you and God bless you.”