Illinois Valley Times

Veteran state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) was among the speakers at a recent Senate Republican Caucus memorial honoring the soldiers, airmen sailors and Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice over the course of the war in Afghanistan.

Held at the Capitol on Aug. 31, the ceremony also marked the U.S.’s formal withdrawal from the war-torn region.

“We are here to remember and honor not just those 13 servicemen and women who were recently killed in Afghanistan, but every man and woman of our Armed Forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice over the last two decades,” Rezin said at the ceremony. “Without the brave men and women of our Armed Forces we would not be able to enjoy these wonderful freedoms that make our country the most amazing place to live in. Their service and their sacrifice to our nation should always be remembered whether it's Memorial Day, Veterans Day, today or any day.”

The U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on Aug. 30, formally ending the country’s longest war. 

Rezin told the audience the list of heroes seems endless.

“So many men and women who truly are the definition of heroes willingly and proudly answer the call of duty,” she said. “They willingly gave up many of the comforts that we take for granted in order to ensure our future and our security."

Rezin also took the opportunity to honor the families of the fallen.

"Throughout the years I've had the opportunity to meet several loved ones of these great American heroes. For those who do not know, the loved ones of the heroes who laid down their lives in defense of our country belong to an elite group referred to as Gold Star family members. As a mother of four children myself, I can't even imagine the emotional toll that the mothers must go through each and every day,” Rezin said. “They and the rest of the Gold Star community are unbelievable. If you want to honor a Gold Star family member, ask them to tell you about their lost loved one. Their strength in the face of personal tragedy is incredible. Their tight-knit community works and takes care of each other. Every time I meet a Gold Star family member I leave that meeting honored and inspired.”

More than 2,400 Americans perished in the two-decades-long war and Brown University’s Cost of War project reports well over 100,000 deaths.