(RALEIGH) -- North Carolina's junior senator is taking time to pay tribute to the troops as the nation observes Memorial Day. Sen. Kay Hagan said it is important to recognize those who gave "the last full measure."

"I want to be sure that everyone of us things about those members who gave their ultimate sacrifice as well as the men and women who are fighting for us today," said Hagan. "North Carolina is the most military friendly state in the nation. We currently have over 16,000 of our troops overseas fighting the mission to disrupt, dismantle and defeat the terrorists."

Sen. Hagan comes from a military family. Her father and brother both served in the Navy. Her husband, Chip, is a Vietnam veteran, and two of her nephews have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hagan's father-in-law, Charlie Hagan, was a two-star Marine General and veteran of WWII.