[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 145 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL VECCHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MICHAEL PAPPAS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 23, 1997

  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of 
Michael Vecchio and his crusade to bring an all war monument to 
Flemington, NJ. Currently on the main street of Flemington, there 
exists a Civil War monument. Dedicated 107 years ago, the monument 
honors Flemington's Civil War dead. However, Mr. Vecchio, a naval 
officer during the Vietnam war, noticed that Flemington needed a 
monument dedicated to those residents of Flemington who died in service 
of their country in the other great conflicts of this century.
  Mr. Vecchio, chairman of the Hunterdon County Veterans Memorial 
Committee, proposed an upgrade to the already existing Civil War 
monument, adding a stone walkway and a granite wall around the statue. 
His efforts have paid off. Dedication ceremonies for the new monument 
took place on Sunday, September 14.
  Mr. Vecchio, like many of us, realizes the importance of remembering 
fallen patriots from past conflicts. The Korean Memorial, which 
recently opened in Washington, shows our Nation's ongoing commitment to 
remembering our veterans. Also, through efforts like Mr. Vecchio's, we 
will never forget those still lost as POW/MIA's.
  Again, I would like to congratulate Mike Vecchio for his campaign to 
help us remember our war heroes and thank him for his selfless 
commitment to veterans across our Nation.

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