Hoyer Attends 2013 Veterans Day Parade and Memorial Ceremony in Leonardtown
LEONARDTOWN, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) joined the St. Mary's County Commissioners, State Senator Roy Dyson, Delegates Johnny Wood and John Bohanan, Leonardtown Mayor Dan Burris, and Commanding Officer at Patuxent River Naval Air Station Captain Benjamin Shevchuck at the annual Veterans Day Parade and Memorial Ceremony in Leonardtown. This year's ceremony honored Captain Walter Francis Duke, a Leonardtown native who has been missing in action since 1944, when he was shot down over the jungles of Burma. In 2012, his family was notified that his plane and remains had been found and that he will be returned home and laid to rest with his family members at the St. Aloysius Cemetery. Leonardtown's new elementary school, slated to open in 2015, will be named in his honor.
"I was pleased to attend the 38th annual Leonardtown Veterans Day parade and ceremony to pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country in uniform," stated Congressman Hoyer. "As the Leonardtown Elementary students reminded us while reading their essays, veterans' service, sacrifice, and dedication to our flag and all it represents merits our recognition not only today, but every day. It is because of our veterans that people across the world look to our country as a moral leader and a beacon of hope and freedom, and their service has made possible the continued pursuit of the American dream here at home. Each year on this day, we remember not only those who fought for our nation and returned to build strong communities, but we also remember those who did not make it home – including our hometown hero, Captain Walter Francis Duke."
"Let us continue to show our pride in America's veterans by standing together to honor their service," continued Congressman Hoyer. "I will continue to defend veterans' benefits in Congress, and make sure that our nation always stands by those who put their lives on the line to defend it in uniform. The backlog of disability claims filed by veterans in our state remains unacceptably high, and while we are making progress to bring it down, I will keep working to ensure that Marylanders receive the benefits they have earned in a timely manner and with fewer errors. Our veterans have kept faith with us, and we must always keep faith with them as they transition back to civilian life and continue to serve our country as leaders in our communities and contributors to our economy."
Congressman Hoyer and the Maryland Congressional Delegation continue to work with Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, and officials at the VA's Baltimore Regional Office to ensure steps are being taken to improve the claims process for Maryland veterans. According to the VA, the claims backlog at the Baltimore Regional Office has decreased by approximately 41% since March 2013 as a result of additional training, increased staff, and a new digital processing system.