[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 98 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              MEMORIAL DAY

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                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 1995
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the 
House to speeches written by some young students at Alpine Elementary 
School in my district. Jessica Herold, Kimberly Shoemaker, Tasha 
Voeltzel, and Travis McGrath have written what Memorial Day means to 
them and their words are something we can all be proud of. I ask that 
their speeches be submitted into the Record.
               (By Jessica Herold and Kimberly Shoemaker)

       Good morning Congressman Hunter, Mr. Miller, Teachers, 
     Guests, and students.
       We were asked to write about our flag or Memorial Day. We 
     found it difficult to separate the two because both of these 
     represent our nation and its beliefs.
       We are a country because we wanted our rights and freedom. 
     Many wars have been fought to keep us a free nation.
       Students in the past have said the Pledge of Allegiance to 
     our flag, today we continue to say the pledge. When we make 
     this pledge, we are saying we believe in our country.
       On Memorial Day, we salute the men and women who have 
     fought for our freedom. It is our hope that each time you say 
     the Pledge of Allegiance, you remember its meaning and that 
     you take the time to think about the men and women that have 
     fought to keep us one nation, under God, indivisible, with 
     liberty and justice for all.

                     Why Memorial Day is Important

                          (By Tasha Voeltzel)

       Good morning Congressman Duncan Hunter, Mr. Miller, staff, 
     and students.
       I think Memorial Day is important because it is a day that 
     we need to salute to the people who have died, trying to save 
     our country so we could be free. My dad fought in the Vietnam 
     War while he was in a wheelchair, even though he didn't get 
     hurt, I still salute him being that brave, and having the 
     courage to fight for our country. I will always remember 
     Memorial Day and look back to the wars and giving everyone 
     who is dead or alive, the salute for freedom.

 Memorial Day; A Day To Remember Those Who Paid the Ultimate Price To 
                           Keep America Free

                          (By Travis McGrath)

       To us kids, Memorial Day weekend has come to mean several 
     things. Sure its a three day weekend. One more day added to 
     the weekend that gives us the extra freedom to go on a 
     picnic, to visit a special friend or relative, to go to the 
     beach, the river, or the mountains. Freedom to relax, freedom 
     to play.
       Many Americans take to the road on Memorial Day. They 
     sometimes drive hundreds of miles to visit a theme park, a 
     national monument, another country or special place. Memorial 
     Day has also come to signify the time of a special once a 
     year event, like the Indianapolis 500.
       For whatever reason Memorial Day may be significant to us 
     all, let us not forget the real reason that this day is 
     celebrated. Memorial Day is the day we honor and remember the 
     men and women of the armed forces who have given their lives 
     in the defense of liberty and freedom, home and abroad. From 
     the battlefields of Bull Run to the sands of Iraq and Kuwait, 
     brave Americans have fought for this Monday in May and all 
     the days of the week to keep us safe and America free. So 
     today, let us not forget that the freedoms we enjoy on this 
     holiday and all year long have been paid for by Americans who 
     have made the ultimate sacrifice.
     

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