Tonight at American Legion Post #80 in Millinocket, Congressman Mike Michaud, Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee, will offer his congratulations to Marine Corps Captains Mark Silvers and Sean Gobin on the completion of their Warrior Hike of the entire Appalachian Trail, which ended with a summit of Mount Katahdin, to raise awareness and funding for wounded veterans.

Last week, Michaud honored their efforts by entering a statement into the official Congressional Record. He also had two U.S. flags flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in their names in recognition of the hike and its mission. The Congressional Record statement can be found here.

The full text of Michaud's remarks.

Captain Silvers and Captain Gobin, welcome to my home region. As you can see from the reception here today, we sincerely appreciate your efforts. What you're doing to raise money and awareness makes a real difference.

I wish that I could be here in person to thank you for your service and what you are doing here today, but I'm in Washington because Congress is in session. But thankfully -- today at least -- it's for a good reason.

The Veterans Health Subcommittee that I help lead is holding a hearing on the need to optimize care for veterans with prosthetics. In addition, I'm pleased to report that today the House of Representatives is going to pass a bill I wrote that will ensure all severely disabled and elderly veterans are able to get the care they need at State Veterans' Homes. When we pass this bill tonight, it will go to the President for his signature into law.

But all of these efforts were a result of working directly with veterans and veterans service organizations to change the law and make their voices heard. And that's why your hike is so important. What you're doing here today, and what you've done for hundreds of grueling miles on the Appalachian Trail, is to raise awareness. This is what is going to help bring real change to how or nation cares for our veterans. Our country needs to realize that while we've made great strides, there is a real need for our country to do more for our wounded warriors.

I'm honored to employ veterans on my staff, including Jonathan Shute -- a Marine who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is a wounded warrior himself. He works with Maine veterans every day, and I encourage any veteran here that needs assistance to call any of my district offices -- we're here to help.

As a small token of my appreciation for your hike, I had two flags flown in your names over the U.S. Capitol Building commemorating your efforts. I'd also like to present you both an official statement that was entered into the Congressional Record in appreciation of your commitment to helping your fellow servicemembers.

Captain Silvers and Captain Gobin, you are both remarkable examples for what it means to serve our country. Former President Ronald Reagan once said that some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. I know that these two Marine captains here with us today don't have that problem.

Thank you for your fight to raise awareness, and congratulations on finishing this incredible hike.