Representative Mike Garcia (CA-27) spoke at the SCV Veterans Memorial Committee’s annual ceremony to commemorate America’s fallen heroes.

Highlights of the speech are below, and the full speech is available here.

Honoring Bill Reynolds 

“We’ve been blessed to pass the Bill Reynolds Post Office bill, and I just want to pay tribute…Bill was a local hero who served in Vietnam…He received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, as he saved lives and kept fighting despite being injured in battle. 

“And when he came home, he continued to advocate for veterans. He stood up several veteran organizations and wrote biographies about our local veterans that are still on display…He did more for veterans locally than any single human being while he was alive. So, today, I’m proud to announce we’re going to name the post office…the ‘Bill Reynolds Post Office.’”

Achieving Peace Through Strength

“As veterans, in our eagerness to give our kids the things that we didn’t have, we forget many times to give our kids the things we do have – a love of country, a belief in God, and a desire to serve with a humble heart to enable the persistence of this great nation.

“It’s these things that, when properly handed down from one generation to the next, ensure good prevails against evil. And it’s these things that, when not handed down, erode our fabric as a secure and free nation and bring evil to our doorstep.

Supporting Women in the Military 

“I want to thank [Major Heidi Heinrich, USA, Retired], a good friend of mine who I’m extremely proud of, for her remarks, highlighting the sacrifices and just how much women in the military have done for our beautiful country. If it were not for them, we would not be here right now.

“And I stand 100% committed to the fact that if you commit sexual assault or sexual harassment while on active duty, either in uniform or out of uniform, there should be a zero-tolerance mentality for that, and you should be kicked out of the military if proven guilty.”