U.S. Sen. Mark Begich released the following statement in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. December 7, 2011 is the 70th anniversary of the events at Pearl Harbor:

“Today, 70 years later the ‘date that will live in infamy’ continues to remind each of us of the great sacrifices that our men and women in the military make for our country.

“We will soon have more than 9,000 Alaska-based service men and women deployed to Afghanistan, where the 1st Stryker Brigade, the 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team and members of the Alaska Army National Guard are taking the fight to those who would seek to do our nation harm. There are also 550 remaining Alaska-based service members in Iraq.

“As we prepare to enjoy our holiday season, let us keep them, their families, and all the other men and women serving in uniform, in our thoughts and prayers.

“Our freedom and democracy are not free and, just as we saw on December 7, 1941 and throughout our nation’s history, it will always require brave Americans willing to risk all for this great nation and our way of life.”

Sen. Begich is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Source: Office of Senator Begich