[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E551-E552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 AMERICAN LEGION POST 114, SIKESTON, MO

                                 ______


                           HON. BILL EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 1995
  Mr. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, over the course of my years as a private 
citizen and public servant I have been witness to a great, unfolding 
story. That story is one of pride and principle, enterprise and 
excellence, and perhaps more than anything else, life and liberty. It 
is the story of the American people and the right and true Nation that 
they have struggled to forge.
  [[Page E552]] Without the brave Americans who responded to our 
country's need and who pledged themselves to the banner of freedom and 
democracy, the United States might not be what it is today; might not, 
in fact, even be at all. I would like to reverently pay tribute to all 
of the American men and women who have served in our Armed Forces--they 
truly represent uncommon and unsurpassed devotion. I am further honored 
to be able to present to you a shining example of the fine caliber of 
those who wore America's uniform in World War II.
  Sikeston, MO, in my congressional district, is home to a group of 
veterans worth this special attention. I would like to recognize the 
active members of American Legion Post 114 who served under President 
Franklin Roosevelt and Missouri's own Harry Truman when the fate of the 
world's democracies was in the balance during World War II. America 
asked these sons and daughters to throw back the tide of despotism and 
injustice and Post 114 answered without pause.
  May it be entered into the U.S. Congressional Record that the 
courageous members of Post 114 of Sikeston, MO, are hereby recognized 
for their selfless service to their country. We applaud you, we honor 
you, we thank you.
  The members of Post 114: James W. Abernathy, Marcus W. Abernathy, Ray 
Alberson, Hugh Aldrich, Ralph Armour, James A. Armstrong, James A. 
Baker, James M. Beaird, J.D. Bearden, Eli Beason, Gaines B. Beck, C.C. 
Beason, John Beetrum, William W. Bess, and Howard E. Billman.
  David E. Blanton, Lee A. Bowman, Woodrow Brashears, L.V. Brothers, 
Phonzie W. Brown, Reece Brown, Arthur O. Bruce, Joel G. Buchanan, 
Arthur Bunch, Ray Burnett, Henry S. Bussey, Cline Carter, Ray Cathey, 
Mark L. Childs, and Lewis H. Conley.
  Marshall Craig, Francis E. Crenshaw, William L. Crowden, Don 
Culbertson, Edgar Culbertson, B.G. Daugherty, Jr., John W. Davis, 
Joseph H. Davis, Eugene Dawson, Marion K. Day, Dan Delplane, Robert 
Dempster, Richard Dillender, Pete Dominquez, Sr., Durwood Dover, and 
Elmer Elfrank.
  Leonard Etienne, Lloyd B. Evans, John F. Ferrell, Ulie F. Fitts, 
Glenn Forbis, Morris E. French, Jeremiah Fulton, Gene Gadberry, Arthur 
J. Gall, Jerry Gilliland, Gilbert Gilmore, Woodrow Glass, Brewer Glenn, 
William A. Gnann, and Kelly B. Goza.
  Frank E. Grimms, William A. Guess, Charles R. Hammock, Douglas L. 
Hammock, Billie J. Harp, Lloyd G. Harris, James H. Hart, Gorman 
Hartlein, Everetta W. Hays, Sr., Tommie N. Hefner, Benjamin R. Heil, 
James T. Hensley, Hubert Hill, Glen Hines, and Jewell R. Hinkle.
  R.H. Hodge, Bill Holleman, Cecil O. Holman, J.W. Homes, Lynn Ingram, 
Z.T. Jackson, Forrest Johnson, Sol D. Johnson, Jerry Kellum, L.E. King, 
Hugh Klasing, Leo J. Klekamp, James W. Lackey, Raymond C. Landers, 
Dayton A. Lasater, and Onis H. Learue.
  Harry S. Littleton, George Mannon, Johnny Marshall, Joseph D. 
Martinez, Jr., Edward C. Matthews, Jr., Ruby Maynard, James E. Mayo, 
Alfred H. McCutchen, Sr., Willard McDaniel, Dean McDonald, James E. 
McGarity, Mary M. McNay, Charlie Meunier, Vincent R. Michelena, and Ray 
A. Moll.
  William C. Moore, Jr, Joel A. Montgomery, Kenneth R. Morgan, Charles 
W. Myers, Claude A. Myracle, Paul Nugent, John R. O'Neal, George W. 
Orr, William K. Parker, Ishmael T. Payne, Carl H. Phillips, James V. 
Phillips, Martha S. Pickett, Rachael R. Pierce, and Irick A. Poe.
  Vincent J. Polito, Charles F. Powell, Otto W. Pratt, Arnold Raburn, 
Patrick Regan, Paul Rennier, Carroll Robertson, Leo Rofkahr, Walter J. 
Rogers, Herbert Rowell, William P. Sappenfield, William L. Scarbrough, 
Billy G. Schock, Ellavyn Schubert, Harold H. Schultz, and Bernie L. 
Seagraves.
  Albert Seiler, Charles Shelby, Paul Scherrard, Earl Sloan, Nat M. 
Snider, Walter B. Spence, Jr., Burleigh Spitler, R.L. Stalcup, Hank F. 
Switala, Goble Trail, Jr., Charles M. Trucks, Charles W. Tucker, Lynn 
Twitty, Russel Walker, and Linzy Walls.
  Leroy Wamble, Charles Watson, Manuel F. Whitener, Oren Whiteside, 
Curtis Wilborn, Denzel W. Williams, George Williams, Charles D. Wood, 
Edgar L. Woodard, and James S. Woods.
  We, as Americans, have ample reason to be proud of these World War II 
veterans and the country they helped build for us today. Our economy is 
invigorated, our cities and communities are prospering, and our 
democracy is strong and secure. In these good times, we must never 
forget who paved the trail before us; it is precisely to forestall and 
combat such a happenstance that I wanted to honor American Legion Post 
114.
  Now, more than ever, we should recall the struggles and sacrifices of 
these patriots who responded to our country's need and pledged 
themselves to defend the causes of freedom and democracy. When dark 
shadows threatened to strike down that which is good, the members of 
post 114 rallied and brought with them grit, fortitude, and ultimately 
triumph. Because they exceeded the call of duty, stood in harm's way, 
and met each challenge without wavering: America continues to be free.


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