[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          A TRIBUTE TO VETERANS

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 1994

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, on November 6, 1 month from today, my 
hometown community will gather to commemorate Veterans Day at the 
annual Veterans Day Parade in Eastpointe, formerly East Detroit, MI. We 
will gather to honor all Americans who have served in uniform and to 
remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our great 
Nation.
  This past Memorial Day, the mayor of Eastpointe, my friend Harvey 
Curley, made an exceptionally moving speech. As we prepare to 
commemorate Veterans Day, and in honor of all Americans who have 
defended the United States, I am proud to share Mayor Curley's remarks.

        Mayor Harvey Curley--Memorial Day Remarks--May 30, 1994

       When a soldier falls on the field of a battle, far from 
     home, far from a summer day with the smell of fresh cut 
     grass, or the sound of a baseball cracking against a bat; 
     when a soldier falls, he rises to heights of honor many of us 
     cannot imagine.
       When a young man in uniform throws himself between his 
     buddy and a fatal shot, far from family and the smell of his 
     first shave, or his sweetheart's perfumed hair; when a young 
     man in uniform takes the fatal hit he takes the touch of pure 
     glory that many of us cannot conceive.
       When a young woman chooses a service that subjects her to 
     the arena of strength and defeat, escape and captivity, 
     comfort and anguish, she chooses a path few would undertake.
       When anyone, man or woman, any color, any nationality, has 
     served these magnificent United States of America in war, it 
     means they have distinguished themselves as champions of 
     freedom; for they have fallen that we may stand free. They 
     have shielded us with their bodies that we may be spared; 
     they have fought the honorable and glorious fight, and 
     gone beyond human endurance in the performance of their 
     duty * * * all of this and more, so that liberty and 
     justice would prevail.
       If we had a chance to dress a soldier's wound, or raise a 
     glass of water to his lips; if we had the chance to huddle 
     close to weary men trapped in a foxhole, or pinned down 
     behind enemy lines--if we had a chance to carry a message to 
     a young man, or woman, from their loved ones back home, maybe 
     a photograph of their new born child, or bring them a pair of 
     warm socks from their mom, who among us wouldn't seize the 
     opportunity? If we knew one of our own was alone in a dark, 
     strange land, facing an unknown aggressor, if we knew one of 
     our own was walking into a trap, or about to be cut down, who 
     among us wouldn't want to be the voice to shout `Look out!'
       If one of our young women stood eye to eye with deadly 
     warriors and defied ruthless force, if she carried orphan 
     after orphan in her tireless arms away from the shelling and 
     slaughter of war--who among us wouldn't lend stronger arms? 
     Americans--all of us, each one would answer the call if it 
     came. For some, it has come, and taken their lives. For the 
     rest of us, it has come on a day like today when we gather 
     together in remembrance of our fellow patriots whose lives 
     have insured our safety.
       By recognizing the importance of their deeds, we have sat 
     beside every soldier in his last moments; we have read 
     letters from loved ones to every one of them that never made 
     it home; we have given something of ourselves to sons and 
     daughters, fathers and mothers, whose passing on the 
     battlegrounds has made our earth all the more precious and 
     sweet. The call, my friends, the call to us is to make their 
     memory eternal.
       Put your hands over your hearts with me--do this in 
     remembrance of every fallen soldier who should have been here 
     with us, today; do this in memory of every young man and 
     woman in uniform we should have embraced in our grateful arms 
     before they shipped out; do this in sacred honor of gallant 
     men and women who put their lives, their futures, their 
     individual hopes and dreams on the line for their fellow 
     Americans. That the line is red, white, and blue.
       Every patriot who answered the call, and served this 
     bountiful land proudly, fiercely, and passionately is an 
     angel among the stars that rise above us. As you feel your 
     heartbeat against your hand, feel too, the spirit of 
     courageous men and women whose sense of duty and 
     responsibility to freedom have insured our liberty, and our 
     rights.
       Remember the countless who have died every time you regard 
     our country's flag, for our flag--the American flag--is the 
     candle we light in memory of every soldier who perished in 
     war. It is the homecoming of every brave man and woman who 
     put themselves in harm's way. It is the beating heart of this 
     country that pumps with honor, glory, and pride because of 
     the hundreds and thousands who have made it strong.
       To our beloved heroes--each and everyone, known and 
     unknown, we commemorate you with profound gratitude, respect, 
     love, and tremendous admiration for your service to this 
     country.
       God Bless America.

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