[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           CAPT. JAMES HUARD

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to pay my respects to 
Air Force Capt. James Huard, buried on Thursday, May 1 with full 
military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. The day was long 
overdue; 25 years, in fact, since the Dearborn, MI native's plane 
disappeared in a mission over North Vietnam.
  In July 1972, Captain Huard's death left behind a young wife, three 
small children, and countless other family and friends. His memory 
lives on today, however, evident in the attendance at Arlington of a 
number of members of the Vietnam Veterans of America James L. Huard 
Chapter 267, named in his honor.
  As fitting and well deserved a tribute as last week's ceremony was, 
it also serves as a stirring reminder of those who still wait for 
return of the remains of their loved ones. For one quarter of a 
century, over 2,000 families have so far been denied the opportunity to 
properly bring closure to this difficult period in their lives.
  As Paul Kane, one of Captain Huard's fellow veterans told the Detroit 
News, ``This ends the Vietnam war for Dearborn, finally. Today, the 
good captain comes home to rest.''
  It is my sincere hope the other families and communities across this 
country waiting to honor those servicemen still missing in action will 
one day, if they have not already, find a similar peace themselves. 
Until then, we cannot and will not waver or rest in our solemn task of 
returning every American home for recognition as heroes by the country 
in whose service they made the ultimate sacrifice.

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