[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE GUARDIANS OF FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Sunday, November 9, 1997

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, this Veterans Day, I would like to 
share with my colleagues a very poignant letter I received yesterday 
from my constituent, Dr. Peter Tarasoff of Randolph, NJ. Dr. Tarasoff 
returned earlier this year from his service as a U.S. Army Military 
Reserve physician in support of Operation Joint Endeavor in Europe, and 
recently retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
  As someone who has the unique view of serving patients in our armed 
services and as a private physician, Dr. Tarasoff recognizes what we 
often forget--that 365 days a year, there are American men and women in 
harm's way around the world, in more than 100 countries, protecting our 
freedoms. Dr. Tarasoff writes:

       Having now completed more than 20 years of service with the 
     Army Medical Corps, I have retired and thankfully, returned 
     to civilian life and my family. As our military forces 
     continue to downsize and the responsibilities placed upon 
     their shoulders increase, I hope the American public will 
     continue to remember the tremendous job being done on all our 
     behalves by the men and women of the uniformed services. I am 
     concerned, however, that this might not be the case.
       I hope that you and your colleagues in the Congress will 
     take every opportunity, such as Veterans Day, Armed Forces 
     Day, to remind all Americans of this. I still recall very 
     clearly December 25, 1996, a bitterly cold day in Germany, 
     when during formation, our unit commander remarked, ``None of 
     us will ever forget Christmas 1996. This is the year that we 
     give to our country the gifts of our talent, service, and 
     time in the name of freedom. Our families give even more 
     through their willingness to support things at home and 
     maintain us here with their love and devotion. Democracy is 
     expensive and a few often pay the dues for many.''

  So, Mr. Speaker, this Veterans Day, I would ask my fellow Americans 
to stop and thank a veteran for paying the price of freedom, and think 
about our men and women serving overseas--they won't have the day off.

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