[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 22 (Friday, February 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E270-E271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  VOLUNTEERISM IS ALIVE IN TENNESSEE--MAURY COUNTY OBSERVES THE 50TH 
                      ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II

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                             HON. ED BRYANT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 3, 1995
  Mr. BRYANT of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, so many Tennesseans volunteered 
their services to their country during the War of 1812 that the State 
became known as the Volunteer State, and is so known to this day. 
Volunteerism is yet alive in the State, not only by those in the 
military, but by civilians as well.
  President George Bush, by Presidential proclamation, designated the 
years 1991-1995 as time to observe the 50th anniversary of World War 
II, judged by historians to be the outstanding event of the 20th 
century. He asked that every county in the country appoint a World War 
II Commemorative Committee to encourage the observance.
  Long before the proclamation, Maury County, TN, had begun making 
plans to honor those men and women who had served in that great 
struggle. Volunteers copied more than 4,000 discharges. Veterans were 
contacted and urged to share letters, diaries, newspaper clippings, and 
other memorabilia, and to either write their memoirs or allow 
themselves to be interviewed.
  The response was overwhelming and grew into a two volume history, 832 
pages, 8\1/2\ by 11, entitled ``Maury County Remembers World War II,'' 
edited by Virginia W. Alexander, editor, and Margaret D. Ashton, 
associate editor. Like the character Kilroy, Maury Countians were all 
over the globe, engaged in every conceivable activity. They were 
storming the beaches, sailing the high seas, building the Ledo Road, 
flying with General Chennault. One doctor was captured with the medical 
unit of the 101st Airborne at the Bulge. Another medical officer was 
captured on Corregidor.
  For those Doubting Thomases who do not believe there was ever a 
Holocaust, F.J. Haley's letter should dispel that doubt. Although 225 
consecutive days in combat with the 808th Tank Destroyer Battalion had 
hardened him to war, he was not prepared for what he found when they 
liberated a concentration camp.
  The apologists for dropping the A-Bomb should read Lt. Col. Newsom 
Cooper's account of locating two cyclotrons when he went into Japan 
with the 8th Army. And artillery officer John Jewell's account of how 
ill-prepared we were for war should make every American marvel at how 
we overcame that obstacle to go on to victory.
  This is history, not written by professional historians after the 
fact, but by those who were right in the thick of it.
  All of the work on the book was by volunteers, who contributed not 
only their time, but paid for their own postage, telephone calls, and 
gasoline. The only cost was for the actual printing, which was borne by 
the Maury County Historical Society.
  On December 7, 1991, the books came off the press and American Legion 
Post 19 and Auxiliary Unit 19 hosted an autograph party and Show and 
Tell day, when veterans brought memorabilia to share with many who 
attended.
  Many other activities have honored veterans since that time. Post 19 
and Unit 19 have hosted three reunions, one being for those who left 
here with a Naitonal Guard outfit, and became the 181st Field 
Artillery. Another was for those who were in the Normandy campaign, and 
another for those who served in the Pacific. Other reunions are planned 
before the observance ends. Videos were made at the reunions, when each 
veteran present told about his experiences.
  These are but a few of the activities honoring World War II veterans 
of Maury County, when not a penny of tax payers money was spent.
  Members of the World War II Commemorative Committee in addition to 
Mrs. Alexander and Mrs. Ashton are: Hal Morgan, a Marine World War II 
veteran; Cam Anderson, 101st 
[[Page E271]] Airborne veteran of World War II; Robert Bradley, Armored 
Division veteran of World War II, and James Bloss, Korean war veteran 
and Veterans Service Officer. The late Lon MacFarland, Chief of Staff 
of the 5th Armored Division, was also a member.


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