CHICAGO (AP) - Iraq war veteran and U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth struggled to hold back tears during a wreath-laying ceremony in Chicago to honor American service members who have died in combat.
Speaking in downtown Chicago’s Daley Plaza Saturday, Duckworth said, “There is not a day when I don’t get up (and) say a prayer of thanks for my life and for theirs.”
The Democratic congresswoman lost both legs and partial use of an arm when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting in Iraq in 2004.
Duckworth served as grand marshal of Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade Saturday.
In other events, Gov. Pat Quinn opened an exhibit of hand-drawn portraits of Illinois service members who have died. It’s on display at a tollway rest stop outside Chicago.
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