As Americans across our country prepare to observe Memorial Day when we remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, I was reminded of an incident that illustrates the importance of all of those brave folks who gave their lives for our country.

During a meeting I attended some months back, an individual made what I considered an ill-advised comment about a veteran’s service: “Yeah, you probably spent your time mopping floors.” After the comment was made, there was an uncomfortable silence, followed by a response from the veteran at the receiving end of the uninformed comment: “Anyone who serves their country should be honored for their service.”

I agree. Those who serve in military support positions may not always be on the front lines, but they are just as important to the overall mission of our military, which is to protect our nation against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Consider, for example, those members of the Continental Army who died facing the most powerful Army on the planet at the time. Given the harsh conditions and lack of supplies facing those first American freedom fighters against the British Empire, there is little doubt that cooks, quartermasters, laborers and carpenters gave their lives in the service of the emerging United States.

And let us consider those who wore both the Blue and the Grey during the Civil War. In the bloodiest of conditions, the corpsmen, wagon drivers and the road builders all found themselves in conditions many of us cannot imagine and yet they served with valor and distinction.

At a time when women did not serve in combat positions, dieticians, telephone operators, and women in military intelligence are listed among those who lost their lives in service to their country during World War I. During World War II, more than 400 military women lost their lives including many dedicated nurses and medical personnel who lost their lives as they labored to save lives.

I kept this in mind last week as the House considered a bill to replace a crippling cut to the military’s budget scheduled for next January with cuts to non-defense programs.  The House passed this bill to cut elsewhere instead of the military with my support, but if the Senate doesn’t follow suit, it will result in the smallest Army, Navy and Air Force that the U.S. has seen in decades which is simply unacceptable. We cannot break our promise with our all-volunteer military who sacrifice so much for us.

Memorial Day is a time to remember all our veterans who perished in defense of our nation. It does not matter whether those brave folks faced off directly with the enemy or worked from behind the lines to support those more directly in harm’s way. Victory and the sacrifices that accompany it is always a team effort and that’s important to remember this Memorial Day.