Aumua and the House Caucus on Women’s Issues Lay Wreath at Arlington Ntl Cemetery
Washington D.C. –Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, and the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues held a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery this morning to honor all of the women who have served our great nation in the Armed Forces.
(above) The Congressional Women’s Caucus on Women’s Issues presents the wreath
(below) Congresswoman Amata and her Chief of Staff Col (U.S. Army Ret.) Leafaina Tavai Yahn,
the first Samoan to graduate from The United States Military Academy at West Point
“I am very humbled and honored to be here in Arlington National Cemetery with my fellow female Members of Congress,” said Amata. “We are here to honor all of the women throughout our history, who have served in our nation’s armed forces. These women were also mothers, wives, single parents, and more, and yet they still took it upon themselves to defend our way of life and the freedoms we all share, and for that we honor and salute them from the bottom of our hearts,” continued Amata.
Each year, the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues hosts an annual ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery before Memorial Day to honor our nation’s servicewomen and women veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember the more than 1,000 women who have died while on duty serving the United States.
Following opening remarks from Major General Dee Ann McWilliams, several Members presented five female honorees, each representing a different branch of service, with a rose, which represents the thanks of Congress and the American people for their service. Each honoree was being recognized for their outstanding achievements, during their service to the nation.
Honorees:
Senior Chief Petty Officer Laurie A. Kennedy, U.S. Coast Guard; Technical Sergeant Tamara R. Acfalle, U.S. Air Force; Master Chief Nancy Estrada U.S. Navy; Master Gunnery Sergeant Rongalett D. Green, U.S. Marine Corps; and Master Sergeant Mariel Morgan, U.S. Army.
“I want to thank those outstanding young women we recognized today for their exemplary service to our nation and for serving as fine upstanding role models for the nation’s young women. Their dedication to their duties serves as an example to us all, to work as hard as we can in our endeavors, and I am grateful for their service,” concluded Amata.
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