Meets with Gold Star mother from Dighton whose son made ultimate sacrifice in Iraq

Washington, DC – Senator John Kerry today visited Somerset High School’s Remembrance Memorial on display in the U.S. Senate’s Russell Building in Washington, DC.

Students at Somerset High School constructed the memorial to honor servicemen and women killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This memorial is moving in its simplicity. For anyone who stops by to see this memorial, it’s a very personal reminder just how large of a number 4,200 really is. The memorial puts a human face on the statistics of a war which for too many people might as well be a million miles away. I am proud of these students from Somerset High for having the initiative and creativity to create such a work of rememberance,” said Senator Kerry.

Kerry also met with Jane VanGyzen, who is traveling with the memorial. VanGyzen’s stepson, Lance Corporal John VanGyzen IV, was killed in action in Iraq in the summer of 2004. Senator Kerry was instrumental in helping VanGyzen’s family dedicate the Freedom Bridge in Dighton in his honor.

“Lance Corporal John VanGyzen gave his life in the name of freedom. He will always be a hero. I was proud to meet with Jane today. She’s an inspiration. Through this gripping memorial and through the Freedom Bridge in Dighton, the legacy of all the fallen will live on,” said Kerry.

Jane VanGyzen became involved with Somerset High School’s project, and others like it, to help keep John’s memory strong.

The memorial, which represents American troops lost in Iraq or Afghanistan, is on display in Washington all week.