[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE VILLHAUERS OF HOSMER, SOUTH DAKOTA

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I am looking forward to returning to 
South Dakota next week to join the citizens of my home state in 
honoring the men and women who have so faithfully served our nation in 
the armed forces. While all those who have given themselves to the call 
of duty will be on our minds on Tuesday, November 11, 1997, there is 
one family that will especially be on my mind.
  The Villhauers of Hosmer, South Dakota hold a distinction that may 
well separate them from any other family in this nation. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fred Villhauer raised 7 sons in Hosmer, all of whom served this nation 
concurrently during World War II. Fred Jr., John, Henry, Albert, 
Arthur, Edmund and Herman Villhauer all answered the call of this 
country, and laid their lives on the line for the security and ideals 
of the United States.
  Six of the brothers would survive the second world war and return to 
the United States. Albert, unfortunately, was killed during the 
retaking of the Philippine Islands on January 30, 1945. Fred Jr. 
returned to my hometown of Aberdeen where he lived until several years 
ago. The 5 other brothers are all alive today.
  I should add that an 8th Villhauer brother, Paul, was too young to 
serve in World War II. But he joined the Army shortly after the war and 
eventually served during the Korean War. Paul Villhauer has also passed 
away.
  Service to the United States seemed to run in the family for the 
Villhauers. The grandparents of the 8 brothers would have over 20 of 
their descendants serve in World War II, including 3 at Pearl Harbor. 
In all, more than 60 members of this family would join the armed forces 
of the United States of America. Six generations later, this segment of 
the Villhauer family boasts more than 1,000 descendants. This 
information was graciously provided by Emil Vilhauer, a former resident 
of South Dakota now residing in Wisconsin.
  As Veterans' Day draws near, let us remember all who have served this 
nation, and especially those who were called to make the ultimate 
sacrifice to preserve our freedom. But this year in particular, I hope 
my colleagues and all the citizens of our great nation will join me in 
remembering one very special family that knows the true meaning of love 
of country: the family of Fred and Catherine Villhauer of Hosmer, South 
Dakota.

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