“Squad” Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Cori Bush (D-MO) are facing criticism over their Memorial Day sentiments, which were posted and then deleted, for allegedly missing the holiday’s meaning.
Memorial Day, celebrated each May, honors those who have lost their lives in the line of service. The Department of Veterans Affairs distinguishes this from Veterans Day, which honors all who have served, while Memorial Day specifically honors those who have died.
“On #MemorialDay, we honor the heroic men and women who served our country. We owe them more than our gratitude — they have more than earned access to quality mental health services, job opportunities, housing assistance, and the benefits they were promised,” Omar said on X in a post that has since been deleted.
“This #MemorialDay & every day, we honor our veterans in St. Louis. We must invest in universal health care, affordable housing, comprehensive mental health services, and educational & economic opportunities for our veterans as we work to build a world free of war and violence,” Bush’s now-deleted post read.
Both faced criticism from conservative commentary accounts online.
Omar later posted a different message about the holiday, focusing on those who “selflessly sacrificed their lives in service to our country.”
“On Memorial Day, let’s say thank you to the brave men and women who selflessly sacrificed their lives in service to our country. Thank you to the families who also have sacrificed and have dedicated their time to ensuring their loved ones are remembered,” she posted on X.
On Memorial Day, let’s say thank you to the brave men and women who selflessly sacrificed their lives in service to our country. Thank you to the families who also have sacrificed and have dedicated their time to ensuring their loved ones are remembered.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 27, 2024
Truth Voices reached out to the offices of Bush and Omar for comment.
