[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 126 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                            THIS WE BELIEVE

                                 ______


                      HON. G.V. (SONNY) MONTGOMERY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 1994

  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, in the State of South Carolina, Mr. E. 
Roy Stone, Jr., is known as ``Mr. Veteran.'' He has held many positions 
of leadership as a member of the American Legion over the years. A Navy 
World War II veteran, Past National Commander Stone has represented 
South Carolina on the National Executive Committee since 1953. He has 
been chairman of the Committee on Resolutions since 1956.
  This year, the American Legion celebrates its 75th anniversary. The 
September 1994, Special Diamond Jubilee Issue of the American Legion 
Magazine contains an article written by Commander Stone entitled, 
``This We Believe.'' I hope veterans everywhere will read it. Few 
people know more about the mission of this great veterans organization 
that my good friend E. Roy Stone. The article is such a good one on the 
service role of the American Legion over its 75-year history that I 
believe it should be given the widest possible circulation. The 
American Legion will continue to remain strong as long as it has 
members with the leadership qualities of men like the distinguished 
gentleman from South Carolina.
  The article by Mr. E. Roy Stone follows:

                            This We Believe


 on the legion's 75th anniversary, we must rededicate ourselves to the 
 ideals of our organization, be active, and keep faith with our fallen 
                                comrades

                         (By E. Roy Stone, Jr.)

       For 48 years, I have had the high privilege of serving on 
     the national level of The American Legion, the world's 
     largest veterans' organization. From the day I walked through 
     a Naval hospital ward in Oakland, Calif., and saw the 
     mutilated bodies of World War II GIs, I knew that I wanted to 
     do something to help veterans and their families.
       When I returned to my home state of South Carolina after 
     World War II, I went to our state's only veterans hospital 
     and saw men being put in the hallways--the VA had a waiting 
     list of over 800 GIs. Later, I went to the funerals of some 
     of the men who were stored in the halls because VA didn't 
     have the space to treat them.
       After seeing all of this, I became an active Legionnaire--
     determined that I would try to alleviate crowded conditions 
     in our VA hospitals; give sympathy to the suffering; give 
     strength to the weak; and to keep faith with my fallen 
     friends.
       I was determined that their supreme sacrifice would not be 
     in vain. And so I joined The American Legion, whose 
     principles of right and wrong have become a integral part of 
     the American way of life.
       On these pages, I want to take an opportunity to salute the 
     ideals that have made The American Legion the unselfish 
     and unequaled champion of the veteran for 75 years.
       This we believe:
       We believe a veteran is a veteran.
       One of the great accomplishments of The American Legion has 
     been making veterans' benefits and rehabilitation a non-
     partisan issue. If something is good for veterans, the Legion 
     will be for it. And no matter which side of the aisle raises 
     an issue in Congress the Legion hollers the same challenge 
     ``How will this help veterans?''
       Legionnaires are Republicans and they are Democrats. They 
     are senators, congressmen, firemen, doctors, lawyers, 
     clergymen, insurance salesmen, grocers, barbers and career 
     military men and women. They are old and they are young. They 
     are rich and they are poor.
       The Legion also doesn't make a distinction between officer 
     and enlisted, Army or Navy, Air Force or Marines, Coast Guard 
     or Merchant Marine. All of us have served our country during 
     times of war, and we share a common experience--and in many 
     cases--common sacrifices.
       We live with memories of war that humble us and fill us 
     with a sense of spiritual connection to the freedom that 
     Americans enjoy. We have a stake, if you will, in seeing our 
     country live on and grow strong because we witnessed so many 
     give their blood and sometimes their lives toward this end.
       While the Legion is nonpartisan, many of you know that 
     there are a lot of politicians in the Legion. We are sort of 
     a cross between a lobbying group and an advocacy organization 
     that looks out for America's veterans. And our 3.1 million 
     members give us a voice that can be heard in small towns and 
     big cities from coast to coast.
       We believe that the contributions of America's veterans and 
     their sacrifices have earned them special consideration. But 
     like the team that is the U.S. Armed Forces, no veteran is 
     more or less deserving of that which has been earned with 
     blood.
       The Legion is committed to seeing VA live up to the 
     inscription on the plague that rests on its Washington, DC, 
     headquarters building: ``To care for him who shall have borne 
     the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.''
       We believe promises made to veterans must be promises kept.
       The Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion is 
     an ideal, a set of missions and battles that can never be 
     decisively won or lost--only fought for.
       Despite the lessons of history and the proud heritage that 
     should elevate the veteran to the highest degree of respect, 
     there will appear on the horizon those who will want to cut 
     the VA budget, eliminate beds in VA hospitals, and cut down 
     or cut out veterans' benefits. But The American Legion has 
     always maintained that promises made to veterans must be 
     promises kept.
       Many short-sighted policy-making officials and their 
     followers will look upon the veteran not as a hero, but as an 
     economic liability. For 75 years, The American Legion, often 
     as a lone voice, has argued for honoring the commitment the 
     nation makes to those it sends into battle: If you serve your 
     country, you will not be forgotten.
       When World War II veterans returned home, the Legion--by 
     writing and introducing the GI Bill--made sure they could get 
     an education and successfully assimilate back into society. 
     The GI Bill was--and is--our greatest legislative 
     achievement.
       When Vietnam veterans began experiencing Agent Orange 
     related health problems, our Legion stood by them and does to 
     this day. While VA now admits a link between the defoliant 
     and many diseases, those years of denial were tough times for 
     afflicted veterans. The Legion was their only ally.
       And when the families of our POW/MIAs could expect no help 
     from the U.S. government and little media attention, 
     the Legion came through with recommendations to end their 
     suffering and obtain the fullest possible accounting.
       In veterans affairs and rehabilitation, the Legion has 
     always stood by veterans as they stood by their country in 
     war.
       We believe in patriotism and Americanism over all other 
     ``isms.''
       The founders would be very proud of what the Legion has 
     done for this country because The American Legion has always 
     emphasized patriotism and Americanism over all other 
     ``isms.''
       We have pressed for a strong national defense, when others 
     have blindly accepted the lull of peacetime safety.
       We have educated America's young men and women in love of 
     God and Country, and helped nurture new generations of great 
     Americans. And we have fought communism and fascism all over 
     the world through our efforts on Capitol Hill.
       We believe in a strong America--an America that has the 
     economic and military might to keep democracy alive here at 
     home and overseas.
       We believe in keeping faith with our fallen comrades.
       On this, the 75th anniversary of The American Legion, we 
     must rededicate ourselves to the ideals of our organization, 
     be active, and keep faith with our fallen comrades. We must 
     gird ourselves for any legislative fight that may become 
     necessary, and see that any veteran who needs hospital or 
     nursing care will have it.
       No compromises. Right is right. Wrong is wrong. As we 
     celebrate 75 years of service to community, state and nation, 
     we are proud of our past record of accomplishments. We look 
     forward to an even brighter future.
       God preserve our country. God bless The American Legion.

                          ____________________