[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E70-E71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ENFIELD, CT, FIRE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF SERVICE TO 
                               COMMUNITY

                                 ______


                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 24, 1996

  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and 
admiration that I rise to pay tribute to the men and women, past and 
present, of the Enfield, CT, Fire Department as they celebrate 100 
years of service and dedication to the citizens of Enfield, CT.
  Volunteers comprise the majority of members of the Enfield Fire 
Department, a further testament to the department's commitment to 
Enfield and its surrounding communities. For the past century the 
members of the Enfield Fire Department have selflessly contributed 
countless hours to ensure the safety of their neighbors and protect 
them from danger.
  These men and women are, indeed, a rare breed. Courageously, they put 
their lives on the line each day--often in situations where they are 
keenly aware of the realities of personal injury. The Enfield Fire 
Department and others across America deserve our thanks, as it is their 
meritorious deeds that have saved many lives each year. Accordingly, I 
would like to thank the Enfield Fire Department, on this their 100th 
anniversary, for their service, and let them know they are not 
forgotten.

[[Page E71]]


                             AMERICA AT WAR

                                 ______


                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 24, 1996

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, although some of us did not live World 
War II, we all are aware of its meaning. As a young boy, I remember my 
father, a World War II combat veteran himself, telling our family about 
the conflict and what it stood for.
  Now, in the Chowchilla News, a paper in my district, Jim Dumas, my 
constituent, has brilliantly told his recollection of World War II, as 
1996 marks the 50th anniversary of this critical event in our Nation's 
history.
  It is my pleasure to share his article with my colleagues.

                             America at War

                             (By Jim Dumas)

       This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ending of the 
     most expensive, deadly and devastating conflict the world has 
     ever seen.
       When the war ended in Europe, Hitler and his people could 
     look at the ruins of Germany and see the results of their 
     wish to dominate all the world's people. When it ended in the 
     Pacific, Japan lay in the ashes of two atom bombs which were 
     dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
       People all over the world celebrated the surrender of the 
     Axis nations, and those Americans who were serving overseas 
     soon started home for a reunion with their loved ones and 
     friends.
       This was the most expensive war in people and material lost 
     and used in which our nation has been involved. The total 
     cost of the nearly five years of fighting had cost the world 
     almost two trillion dollars, and the lives of nearly 800 
     million people.
       The United States alone lost over 400 thousand men and 
     women during this great conflagration. These figures tell a 
     sad story of almost five years of war. The cost was very high 
     when measured by any standard, but it brought almost a half 
     century of peace and prosperity to most of the world.
       Paul A. Spera, National Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of 
     Foreign Wars, writing in the California Veteran, December 
     1995, wrote these words, ``Because of the sacrifices of the 
     more than 12 million Americans who served overseas and 
     another four million who wore the uniform stateside, would-be 
     dictators recognized that free men and women will fight and 
     prevail when their freedoms are at stake. Because of their 
     sacrifices, Americans were never forced to defend their own 
     homes.
       ``As we enter our sixth decade of freedom and prosperity in 
     America, it's important that we recall the pain and sacrifice 
     of those who served to ensure that freedom . .  . for each 
     American soldier, sailor, Marine and airman who perished, 
     there is an entire family whose lives were forever changed. 
     And for each one that perished, there are thousands who 
     returned from war, and whose lives have never been the same.
       ``When you see an elderly veteran, there's a good chance he 
     or she served in World War II. If you are fortunate enough to 
     hear them speak about what America means to them, please pay 
     close attention. They have a perspective few of us share. 
     They are rightfully proud of their service and the glory of 
     their victory. However, they share a deeper and more profound 
     perspective.
       ``You see, they know how it feels to face the reality of 
     losing everything they had ever hoped for. They have dealt 
     with the prospect of seeing their loved ones die, their 
     nation's flag trampled and their homeland in ruins. Perhaps 
     that is why our flag, their flag, is so important to them. 
     That is why they deeply appreciate our Constitution and the 
     institutions which serve under that document.
       ``They have paid a dear price so that all these things 
     could endure. On these, the final days of the 50th 
     commemoration of their war, we must remind ourselves that we 
     owe them a debt which can never be repaid.''
       How could anyone say it better? When I read those words, I 
     knew I had to pass them on to you. I don't know if Commander 
     Spera is a veteran of WWII or not, but I like what he said.
       My generation suffered the greatest casualties of any one 
     generation which has fought in our many wars. I just hope 
     future generations will not allow historians to sanitize the 
     history of WWII to suit their present day thinking.
       That is why we need more veterans to write what it was 
     really like so the school children of today and tomorrow will 
     know the real truth of the entire war period.
       With this episode, the ``America At War'' series comes to a 
     close. My friend, John Wolfshorndl, recently made a 17-day 
     visit to China. He brought back many pictures and has agreed 
     to lend them to me and this newspaper so you may see what 
     that nation is like today.
       Many of his pictures show it much the same as when I was 
     there in 1942-43. Some changes for the better have taken 
     place. He went to many places I did not get to see, such as 
     the Great Wall.
       He did bring some pictures of Kweilin (Guilin) and Kunming 
     where I was stationed during WWII. He has some good pictures 
     of the very unusual mountains around Kweilin of which I have 
     written before. The editor has promised me two half-pages so 
     we may show you these pictures.
       My heart is heavy as I bring this series to a close. I 
     really don't know why, but as I type this, I find it 
     impossible to keep back the tears. Perhaps no one else will 
     understand it either. Writing this series of articles has 
     been like reliving it all over again.
       This isn't the first time tears have come to my eyes as I 
     wrote them. I've heard all my life that ``There is no fool 
     like an old fool.'' Maybe an old sentimental fool is even 
     worse. I am a sentimentalist, and some may say I am all of 
     the above.
       So many of you have asked if I was writing these articles 
     for a diary. The answer is no. I did not keep a diary while 
     in China because I never even thought about writing about my 
     experiences while I was there.
       These have been written from memory. Again, many of you 
     have asked how in the world I could remember all this stuff. 
     I don't know. I have just written it as I remember it. I'm 
     sure there are some who might take exception to some of the 
     things I've written. No two people see things exactly the 
     same. I guess these things have been deeply embedded into the 
     wrinkles of my brain or I couldn't have remembered them.
       The editor, Jess Chambers, has asked me to continue writing 
     for him on several subjects. I plan to do that as long as 
     people like and read what I write. I love writing and wish I 
     had gone to journalism school right after I retired.
       There are many things about which I have very strong 
     opinions and could write about. I travel a lot and could 
     write about those trips and the interesting places my wife 
     and I visit. That would not be controversial, whereas, my 
     opinions about other things could be.
       But first, I think I would like to take a little rest. 
     However, I see things everyday in various newspapers and 
     magazines about which I would like to write. Maybe I can 
     write a few and not have to meet a deadline. I don't really 
     enjoy having to do that.
       One of the things which Jess asked me to write about is 
     vacation spots where people can go and be outdoors and camp 
     without it costing them an arm and a leg. Since I own a 
     little recreation type land in northeast California, I could 
     write a few of those already. But I would need to go to those 
     places and take some pictures to be printed along with the 
     articles. So, you may see some more of my writing in this 
     paper following the last of these articles.
       Anyway, before I close, I must say that I am proud to have 
     been able to fly and fight with the great Flying Tigers, even 
     though I was only attached to them for training. It was a 
     great organization and a fine group of men to be with.
       It is an honor to have been around such men as Tex Hill, Ed 
     Rector, Charley Bond, Joe Rosbert and Bill Bartling, to name 
     a few. When I first met them, I thought they were all 
     ``Supermen,'' which they were, but when the 14th Air Force 
     took over from the AVG, we had some ``Supermen'' among us. 
     Men like Charles DuBois, Mortimer Dog Marks, Patrick H. 
     Daniels III, Johnny Alison and others.
       Most of all, I'm proud I got to know personally the man 
     most responsible for the success of both organizations, 
     General Claire Lee Chennault. It was a pleasure serving under 
     him. I was honored to have been asked to be one of his honor 
     guard at his homecoming in New Orleans.
       Now I'd like to quote from another veteran's magazine, The 
     American Legion, September 1995. There was no byline or I 
     would give credit to the writer. It is called ``The Road to 
     Victory.''
       ``America's triumph in WWII was so much more than a 
     military victory. It was a victory that energized democracies 
     around the world, primed the economy at home and secured the 
     continuation of the American way of life. There are no words 
     that can bestow enough honor upon those who served, but WWII 
     veterans know how important their contribution has been and 
     continues to be. We must be sure that future generations 
     never forget their bravery, sacrifice and service to our 
     country. WWII veterans have earned our eternal gratitude.'' 
     Amen.
       Finally, I'd like to thank the Chowchilla News, the owners 
     and Jess Chambers, editor, for their confidence in me, and 
     for publishing these articles. They were the first. And my 
     thanks to all who telephoned, wrote me, and told me 
     personally that you enjoyed them.
       You have no idea how much that has meant to me. You may not 
     believe this, but I have never received a derogatory remark 
     about them from anyone. Not one. There must be some who 
     didn't like them enough to read them, and to them I would 
     like to say, thanks for not telling me.
       I close wishing all of you good health throughout 1996, and 
     may it be the best year ever for each and every one of you.

                          ____________________