[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E 2115]]


                 TRIBUTE TO VETERANS OF SOUTH CAROLINA

                                 ______


                     HON. MARSHALL ``MARK'' SANFORD

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, November 7, 1995

  Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the men and women 
of our armed services from South Carolina who have a long tradition of 
valor in times of national crisis. From the large communities of 
Charleston, Georgetown, Myrtle Beach or small towns like Ridgeville, 
Goose Creek, Aynor, or Awendaw--soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines 
have served our Nation well in war. There is no greater service than to 
fight for the safety of one's nation and the security of the world. 
From the Marne to the Philippines, and from the Chosen Reservoir to Khe 
Sahn, South Carolina has sent its best and its brightest to defend 
freedom and democracy.
  As Veteran's Day approaches, I find my self reflecting upon the 
sacrifices that these men and women made for these United States. 
Hundreds of South Carolina servicemen in World War I, World War II, 
Korea, and Vietnam paid the ultimate price through the sacrifice of 
their lives and lie buried in cemeteries and watery graves around the 
globe. But for many, the possibility of a simple military grave marker, 
the return of their remains to their families and loved ones, or even 
an accounting of their whereabouts still eludes them. South Carolina's 
First District has no less than 15 POW/MIA's still unaccounted for from 
Korea and 9 POW/MIA's from Vietnam. To those families and friends who 
have lost a loved one, and those today who still seek a final 
determination as to the fates of their loved ones, I pay tribute for 
the sacrifice of these brave men.
  Recently, I have worked with organizations such as the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, the Vietnam Veterans Association, AMVETS, the American 
Legion, Jewish War Veterans, Catholic War Veterans, and other groups to 
determine how our country might best care for our veterans. People like 
Tom Burch and Bonny Stilwell of the Vietnam Veterans Coalition who take 
up the cause of veterans from every era, especially Vietnam veterans, 
are to be commended for their tireless efforts. As a member of the 
International Relations Committee's Subcommittee on Asia, I have heard 
their pleas for an absolute accounting of all servicemen in Southeast 
Asia. As a member of that committee I voted for language which would 
mandate a complete accounting of all of our servicemen in Southeast 
Asia and give immigration preference to those who help identify U.S. 
servicemen remains or clarify their status as MIA/POW. For all of the 
veterans' groups, especially to Anne and ``Tank'' Lanford of the South 
Carolina Vietnam Era Veterans Association I pledge my continued support 
to bring all of our boys home and put an end to the uncertainty that 
their families face day in and day out.
  I would like to leave you all with a story I once heard about our 
Nation and its veterans. I think that it might act as a reminder to us 
all of our veterans' sacrifices and our country's duty to them.
  While camped on the plain at West Point, NY, on a cold winter's night 
General Washington met with his officers who had gathered in a small 
hut to discuss the possibility of the Continental Army seizing control 
of the Congress because of their lack of pay and land grants to the 
soldiers. After listening to eloquent and inspired speeches from many 
of the officers who urged their brothers to declare the Government 
dissolved, General Washington, who had previously sat quietly in the 
back of the room, rose to his feet. Suddenly, the lively and spirited 
debate ceased and still fell over the room. General Washington slowly, 
and deliberately unfolded a letter from a Member of Congress who had 
written him to urge his soldiers to keep their posts until spring when 
the Government might be more secure. After unfolding the letter 
Washington stared at the page for a moment then, for the first time 
ever in front of his troops, Washington reached into his tunic and 
unfolded a pair of spectacles, gently placing them on his nose saying, 
``Gentlemen, please forgive me for my trouble in reading this letter. 
For you see, I have not only grown gray, but almost blind in the 
service of my country.''
  That night General Washington read that letter but no one heard it. 
It was drowned out with the soft sobs and cries of the officers present 
who had served the country in its struggle for independence. After 
Washington left the building the officers voted unanimously to continue 
to serve without pay and our Nation survives today. Years later, on the 
only occasion when then President Washington spoke of the incident, he 
simply said, ``A nation can only ensure its longevity and its security 
by assuring its care of its veterans. Otherwise it cannot hope to 
muster any army for its defense in the future.'' Mr. Speaker, I cannot 
agree more.
  Now, over 200 years, later, it is time for us to renew our commitment 
to our veterans. I plan to begin by remembering their contributions and 
sacrifices and continuing the fight for a full accounting of all of our 
men. As citizens we owe every veteran at least that much. The patriot, 
John Adams once said, ``I study war so that my son may study politics, 
so that his son might study philosophy and art.'' This is a dream that 
I know all veterans share.

                          ____________________