[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1239-E1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO CANDACE SHEA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. WILLIAM H. ZELIFF, JR.

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 1996

  Mr. ZELIFF. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
bring to attention the outstanding accomplishment of Ms. Candace Shea, 
an eighth grader from Hampstead Middle School, Hampstead, NH. As the 
author of an inspirational and patriotic essay honoring veterans and 
her explanation on the importance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 
she has made me very proud to be her Representative. I am pleased to 
submit a copy of her essay to the Congressional Record on her behalf.

          What Everyone Should Know About the Unknown Soldier

                           (By Candace Shea)

       The Unknown Soldier. Those words are like a light, pointing 
     out all those killed in action. All those who fought for our 
     country, and then died for our country.
       The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a tomb in which the 
     remains of a soldier whose identity is unknown is 
     ceremonially laid to rest.
       The first unknown soldier was a tribute to those who had 
     made the supreme sacrifice in World War I. It was placed in 
     Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921. The tomb is 
     a white marble structure that has ``Here rests in honored 
     glory an American soldier know but to God'' carved indelibly 
     on it.
       In Memorial Day of 1958, two more unknown soldiers were 
     buried in full tribute--one from the Korean War and one from 
     World War II. On Memorial Day of 1984, a soldier from the 
     Vietnam War was laid to rest at the monument.

[[Page E1240]]

       The Unknown Soldier is silently speaking to us all, saying 
     we must never forget those who had full lives ahead--and 
     those whose lives were quickly shattered, perhaps by a 
     bullet, a grenade, and other such weapons. He is saying, 
     ``Never let it happen again--never.'' He is a voice that 
     shall never be silenced by anyone or anything.
       And forget him no one does. The President of the United 
     States and other such people pay their respects the unknown 
     soldier. It is truly a great honor to lay a wreath at the 
     unknown soldier's tomb. You are saying, ``I honor and respect 
     those who served for our country, who served for me. I will 
     never forget those who died for our country, who died for 
     me.''
       The unknown soldier--a common soldier whose identity is 
     never known, but his presence and voice is always there.

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