[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 89 (Friday, May 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1141-E1142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              MEMORIAL DAY

                                 ______


                            HON. JAY DICKEY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 1995
  Mr. DICKEY. Mr. Speaker, from the steps of the Capitol Building and 
across the Potomac we see the thousands of men and women who lay at 
rest, silenced by guns of war.
  We, the beneficiaries of their sacrifices, cannot adequately praise 
these fallen veterans by merely uttering words. It takes a commitment 
by Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to follow through 
with promises to those who have served and who currently serve our 
country.
  This Memorial Day weekend, we should recognize a disturbing change in 
our Nation. There is a sense of resentment among our veterans today. 
They feel as though they are not held in the same light they once were. 
Benefits guaranteed to them are now targets for elimination.
  The military traditions that kept ours the most resilient fighting 
force in the world seem to be forgotten by many of their civilian 
leaders. And many of those same leaders view the military as a place 
for social experiment.
  If we allow this to escalate, we will not maintain our esprit de 
corps which is so vital to cohesiveness in combat; nor will we feel 
good about ourselves. [[Page E1142]] 
  Because few of us have actually experienced the pressures of battle, 
we must continually look to the military professionals for guidance in 
building and maintaining our defense capabilities.
  This goes well beyond promises of health care or other monetary 
benefits. It includes encouraging veterans, and active duty service 
members and reservists to obtain higher education and to instill a 
sense of self-esteem which will enable them to grow and prosper in the 
society they volunteered to defend.
  As a veteran in my district, Warren Watts, writes in a letter to me:

       We call upon you, the leaders we elected for justice and 
     fairness for disabled veterans and their families.

  We must listen to my friend, Warren, and other veterans across our 
country. They are turning to us for help.
  For Memorial Day, let us not forget those who fell in combat to 
preserve our freedoms. Moreover, as we walk among their graves, 
consider how we can show our respect for the survivors.


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