[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 179 (Monday, November 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E 2165]]


        WE OWE OUR VETERANS A LIFETIME OF GRATITUDE AND RESPECT

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 13, 1995

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today in honor of our 
Nation's veterans.
  Once again, we celebrate Veterans' Day. Once again, we have a day off 
from work. Once again, we may attend ceremonies to honor our veterans. 
Once again, we will remember briefly the contributions made by so many 
so that our Nation can remain strong, proud, and free.
  The year goes by so fast--and so before we know it, once again, it is 
Veterans' Day.
  This year, let it not slip past us. Let us take this opportunity to 
honor our veterans by passing along to our children and grandchildren 
some of our experiences, thoughts, and appreciation for our veterans.
  Do our children and grandchildren even know what a veteran is? Do 
they understand why we honor our veterans? Our kids may play war games, 
but do they comprehend the incredible sacrifices made by our veterans 
and their families?
  Do they know the stories of their own family members who served, and 
perhaps were wounded or killed, in the two World Wars, in Korea, 
Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and many other conflicts?
  Because this year is the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, 
many of the commemorations will honor veterans of that war. Last 
weekend, churches and synagogues across the Nation held a National Day 
of Prayer remembering World War II veterans and their families. If your 
house of worship participated, be sure to talk to your children about 
the meaning of this ceremony.
  Schools are being urged to participate in National World War II 
Educational Day, scheduled for November 8. Teachers will be preparing 
displays and talks centering around the history of World War II and its 
lessons for today's world. Perhaps a World War II veteran will be 
visiting your children's school. Ask your children to tell you about 
the activities at their school. Talk about them over the dinner table.
  We can also take our children and grandchildren to one of the many 
Veterans' Day ceremonies being held throughout the country. This year, 
ceremonies include the site dedication of the World War II Memorial in 
Washington, DC. Do your children know that this memorial will soon be 
built? Do they know that last July a Korean War Veterans Memorial was 
dedicated in Washington, DC? Perhaps your family could plan a trip to 
Washington to view this new and powerful memorial--which stands proudly 
adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial--and 
honors the men and women who served so courageously in Korea.
  Many cities across the country will be ringing the Bells of Peace and 
Freedom 50 times at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 11. Let us tell our 
children that the ringing of the bells signifies 50 years without a 
world war and our hope that World War II will be the final worldwide 
conflict.
  Veterans Day provides us with a unique opportunity to remember and 
acknowledge that the freedom we enjoy today is due to the sacrifices 
made by the American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who were 
willing to fight and die for freedom. We owe our veterans a lifetime of 
gratitude and respect.
  Veterans Day provides us with an opportunity to ensure our democratic 
way of life by passing along the valuable lessons our veterans have 
learned to future generations.
  It will be time well spent.

                          ____________________