Rep. Loretta Sanchez Honors Victims in Military Aircraft Crash

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November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today delivered the following statement on the House floor in support of House Resolution 891, which she authored, honoring the victims of a recent military aircraft crash between a Coast Guard plane and a Marine helicopter off the coast of California. The House passed the resolution in a unanimous vote earlier this afternoon:

"I introduced this resolution on the one week anniversary after the tragic events that occurred off the coast of California.

"On Thursday, October 29, the Federal Aviation Administration reported that a Coast Guard C-130 plane and a Marine Corps AH-1W Cobra helicopter crashed off the coast while conducting separate missions.

"We honor the nine men and women who lost their lives in that crash and send our condolences to their friends, families, and loved ones.

"As the motto states, 'Always Ready', the Coast Guards defends the shores of this great country daily and we often times forget these unsung heroes.

"Tasked with multiple missions every day, the Coast Guard relies on the skills and expertise of its personnel to stop drug runners, perform search and rescue operations, and secure our ports and waterways.

"It saddens me that we lost seven of these brave men and women last week, on duty, while they were conducting a search and rescue operation.

"In addition, the two Marine Corps pilots that lost their lives that day fully lived their Corps motto, 'Always Faithful.'

"Their sacrifice, while on a military training exercise off the coast of California, echoes the sacrifice and risk all men and women face in the armed services.

"Both the Coast Guard and the Marine Corps serve globally and locally, to protect our communities and provide humanitarian aid where it is needed.

"We must not forget the sacrifices and missions they conduct everyday that at anytime can go wrong. And we must always remember those who we have lost during their time in service.

"I know the Coast Guard had a memorial service this Friday in Sacramento, which unfortunately I could not make, but I felt that it was very important to introduce this resolution to honor those that died.

"These brave individuals fulfilled their commitment to serve and defend the United States at all costs, and for that they deserve and have our eternal gratitude and respect.

"I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring these brave individuals by supporting this resolution."

Source: Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez