May we keep three special Americans from Salem in our thoughts and prayers this Memorial Day weekend

This Memorial Day weekend, I would like to take a moment to remember three special individuals from Salem who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country in Iraq.

Below is a speech I delivered in the New Hampshire House of Representatives in support of legislation to dedicate the bridge on Cross Street in honor of Lance Cpl. Robert Moscillo, Cpl. Nicholas Arvanitis, and Staff Sergeant Edmund Lo.

May we keep them, their families, and all who have given their lives for our country in our thoughts and prayers this weekend.

Madam Speaker, fellow members of the House.

Before you today is an opportunity to remember the lives and honor the sacrifice of three special Americans. Over the past four years my district has bid farewell to Lance Cpl. Robert Moscillo, Cpl. Nicholas Arvanitis, and Staff Sergeant Edmund Lo who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. Winston Churchill said all the great things in this word are simple are simple and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. Rarely can a small group of people come to embody all of these values. But such is the case here.

Robert Moscillo 21, died while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division and stationed at Camp Pendleton. He was a 2003 graduate of Salem High School. We lost him on May 1, 2006.

Nicholas A. Arvanitis 22, died from injuries sustained when he encountered enemy fire in Bayji, Iraq. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Bragg. He was also a 2003 graduate of Salem High School. We lost him October 6, 2006.

Edmond Lo, 23, died from with his explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team in Samarra City, Iraq. He was assigned to the Army’s, 797th Ordnance Company, 79th Ordnance Battalion stationed at Fort Hood. He was a 2004 graduate of Salem High School. We lost him June 13, 2009.

Each of them was unique: Robert Moscillo was a dynamic leader who planned a life in the ministry when his service was complete, Nicholas Arvanitis was a talented musician and a loyal friend, Edmond Lo was a quiet and reserved leader who earned the nickname “Mr. Dependable.” But while they were diverse in talent they courageously accepted responsibility for protecting our country and our freedoms.

This legislation seeks to honor the lives of these men and the values they stood for. Fittingly Mrs. Lo and Mr. Moscillo pass over the bridge we are seeking to name every morning and evening when coming to and from work.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to address the families who have joined us this afternoon. No one can fully understand the depth of your sadness and loss but we can ensure that no one forgets your sacrifice and the memory of your sons, grandsons, and brothers. We know that men of this caliber are not accidents, they are raised in principle and it was by God's grace that they born into families such as yours. America owes you a debt that can never be repaid. This nation, our state and our community will always cherish the memory of your sons, grandsons, and brothers.

I ask the House to join me in passing this legislation so that we may honor the memory of these men in an open and permanent way.

These special Americans will be in my thoughts this weekend just as much as they were on the day this speech was delivered.