[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 70 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MEMORIAL DAY

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, Memorial Day is a time for Americans 
to stop and think about those who have given their lives for our 
Nation's freedom.
  This week, the Senate passed a resolution commemorating the 15th 
Anniversary of the construction and dedication of the Vietnam Veterans 
Memorial. I was proud to be included as an original cosponsor of this 
important resolution. The resolution encourages Americans to remember 
the sacrifices of our Nation's veterans and extends the Senate's 
sympathies to those who suffered the loss of family and friends in 
Vietnam. Since its dedication 15 years ago, the Vietnam Veterans 
Memorial has been a sanctuary where survivors and families have 
mourned, where soldiers have reflected on the past, and where youth 
have explored our history.
  Memorial Day serves as a strong reminder of the effects of war. The 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial contains the names of more than 58,000 men 
and women who lost their lives from 1957 to 1975 in the Vietnam combat 
area or who are still missing in action. No person is able to walk 
along the wall without being moved by its simple message of loss.
  Of the many names which mark ``the wall,'' 2,660 are from Michigan. 
One Michigan Vietnam veteran whose name is on the wall is Capt. James 
L. Huard of Dearborn, MI. Captain Huard disappeared on July 12, 1972 
while flying his F-4 Phantom over North Vietnam. For nearly 25 years, 
Captain Huard was missing-in-action. In 1988, the Vietnamese government 
turned over what were believed to be the remains of a number of United 
States servicemen. After many years of forensics work, Huard's remains 
were identified and returned to his family on January 29, 1997. On May 
1, Capt. James L. Huard was given an official burial at Arlington 
National Cemetery.
  In 1989, the Dearborn City Council passed a resolution which ordered 
the POW/MIA flag to fly above City Hall until ``Huard is returned 
home.'' On Memorial Day, the flag will be lowered as a final most 
appropriate and moving tribute to Captain Huard.
  I know my Senate colleagues join me in honoring Capt. James L. Huard 
and the many men and women who have given their lives in the service of 
our Nation.

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